Viacom 18 has won a closed-bid auction to secure the media rights for the women's India Premier League for the next five years
New dawn for women's cricket with mega IPL deal
Viacom 18 will pay 9.51 billion Indian rupees ($A170 million) for the media rights of the women's Indian Premier League for the next five years, the country's cricket board has announced.
Viacom 18 outbid Disney Star, Sony and Zee among other broadcasters in a closed-bid auction in Mumbai, with the inaugural women's IPL - a Twenty20 tournament - set to be played in March, reports ESPN.
"This is massive for women's cricket," BCCI secretary Jay Shah said on Twitter, adding that the bidding amount would have a per-match-value of 70.9 million Indian rupees ($A1.25m).
Congratulations @viacom18 for winning the Women’s @IPL media rights. Thank you for your faith in @BCCI and @BCCIWomen. Viacom has committed INR 951 crores which means per match value of INR 7.09 crores for next 5 years (2023-27). This is massive for Women’s Cricket 🙏🇮🇳%E2%80%94 Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 16, 2023
A three-team Women's T20 Challenge had been staged alongside the men's IPL since 2018, but the BCCI had been urged to set up an expanded tournament for women with more teams and players.
Leg-spinner Alana King was the only Australian to feature in the 2022 edition of the T20 Challenge, representing the Supernovas.
"After pay equity, today's bidding for media rights for Women's IPL marks another historic mandate," Shah added.
"It's a big and decisive step for empowerment of women's cricket in India, which will ensure participation of women from all ages."
WIPL registration done! Now we wait and see 👀 #WIPL%E2%80%94 Amanda Wellington (@amandajadew) January 16, 2023
In August last year, Disney Star won the rights to broadcast men's and women's International Cricket Council (ICC) events through to the end of 2027 in a deal reported to be worth $3 billion.
In June, Disney-owned Star India retained the television broadcast rights to the men's IPL for $4.3 billion.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
Group A: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
Group B: England, India, Pakistan, West Indies, Ireland
Australia's T20 World Cup 2023 fixtures
Feb 11: v New Zealand, Boland Park, Paarl, 7pm local (4am Feb 12 AEDT)
Feb 14: v Bangladesh, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 7pm local (4am Feb 15 AEDT)
Feb 16: v Sri Lanka, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 3pm local (12am Feb 17 AEDT)
Feb 18: v South Africa, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 7pm local (4am Feb 19 AEDT)
Semi-finals
Feb 23: Newlands, Cape Town, 3pm local (12am Feb 24 AEDT)
Feb 24: Newlands, Cape Town, 3pm local (12am Feb 25 AEDT)
Final
Feb 26: Newlands, Cape Town, 3pm local (12am Feb 27 AEDT)