T20 World Cup Broadcast in Turmoil: JioStar Wants Out, ICC Scrambles for Backup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) faces a sudden and severe broadcasting crisis ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup after its primary media rights partner, JioStar, has expressed its intention to exit their multi-year contract with two years still remaining.

The Reliance-owned broadcaster is reportedly seeking an early exit due to massive financial losses, estimated at a staggering ₹12,548 crore last year. The crisis deepened for JioStar after the Indian government’s ban on real-money gaming advertisements, which eliminated a major revenue stream worth an estimated $840 million.

This development puts the ICC in a precarious position as it must now urgently secure a new broadcaster for the upcoming T20 World Cup cycle (2026-2029). The council has already begun approaching potential replacements, including major players like Sony, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, with an asking price of $2.4 billion for the rights—significantly lower than the previous $3 billion valuation.

However, early indications suggest that these potential suitors have shown little interest, likely deterred by the hefty price tag in a challenging economic climate.

The contractual fine print, however, offers the ICC some leverage. If a replacement broadcaster is not secured, JioStar will be legally obligated to honor its existing contract through 2027. This clause ensures that the global tournament’s broadcast remains secured for now, but it leaves the ICC navigating a high-stakes renegotiation under pressure.

                                               

Relevant news