'Red letter day for women’s cricket in India' - Twitter exclaims with euphoria as Viacom18 bags historic media rights for Women’s IPL

Viacom18 has acquired the media rights for the first five editions of the Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) for a whopping INR 951 crore. According to reports, Disney-Star was the only other bidder that showed interest in acquiring the media rights of the event. Following the same, it is understood that the Reliance-owned company is said to have bid almost 10 times more than what the Disney-Star offered.

Notably, after the historic media rights deal, the value per game is deemed at INR 7.09 crore. The tournament is reportedly set to host 22 matches in a five-team format for the first three years of the competition. Later, the BCCI has plans to expand the tournament as a sixth team could be added, making it a 34-match spectacle.

Jay Shah delighted to announce a big leap in Women's cricket

BCCI secretary Jay Shah was delighted to share the news and mentioned the importance of the big leap in women’s cricket. He stated that the Women’s IPL is heading in the right direction and it is understandable by looking at the media rights deal.

“Today we have taken one big leap. The broadcasters play a key role in taking the game to a wider audience and their active interest in the league is a clear indication that the WIPL is headed in the right direction. The per-match valuation of Rs. 7.09 crore is something that has never previously been registered for a women’s game,” Shah wrote in a statement.

In the meantime, the name of the franchises will be disclosed on January 25. As per the initial reports, eight IPL franchises have shown interest in owning a team and also the owners of Manchester United are said to have expressed their interest in the same. There are many other Indian business houses who have also submitted their bids to own and operate a team in the WIPL.

Here's how Twitter reacted -

Wao! This is wonderful news for the womens game. Viacom winning the media rights for womens @IPL. Look forward to the encouraging times for the womens game @BCCIWomen @viacom18

— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) January 16, 2023

WHOPPING FIGURES (2023 to 2027)

IPL TV rights - Star India - INR 23,575 Crore

IPL Digital rights - Viacom18 - INR 23,758 Crore

IPL RoW rights - Viacom18, Times Internet - INR 1,057 Crore

WIPL TV & Digital rights - Viacom18 - INR 951 Crore

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) January 16, 2023

Today’s a day that every Indian women cricketer will remember. The #WIPL is finally taking shape. @BCCI, @JayShah and all those involved deserve huge praise. Women’s cricket will go to the next level with this global stage provided. Come on girls, it’s all yours for the taking!

— Smriti Mandhana (@mandhana_smriti) January 16, 2023

Red letter day for women’s cricket in India. Let the fun begin #WIPL @JioCinema https://t.co/Lz8VEa9s3G

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 16, 2023

Great News for @BCCIWomen cricket !!
Its gonna be huge success “Womens @IPL “ #WIPL congratulations @viacom18 https://t.co/hdvrbceWRl

— Dishant Yagnik (@Dishantyagnik77) January 16, 2023

This is a proper W for not only women’s cricket here in India, but for the entire world. The #WIPL surely becomes the most sought-after women’s franchise cricket tournament now in the world. This changes the entire landscape of the game now. https://t.co/kv1HaU11MV

— Abhinav (@abhinav_k316) January 16, 2023

On the day of another dominant win for India U19 women, a media rights deal is secured that will help take women’s cricket to new heights 👏

— Jake Lush McCrum (@JakeLushMcCrum) January 16, 2023

I won't be surprised if the #WIPL has the 2'nd largest media rights deal for a standalone T20 tournament.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 16, 2023

WIPL match at 7 cr per match is STEAL , should have atleast gone for 20 cr per match easily…. #WIPL

— Mohammad Umair 🇮🇳 (@umairrr_20) January 16, 2023

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