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Jiostar Secures Landmark ICC Digital Rights Deal

  //media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. ar-secures-landmark-icc-digital-rights-deal.html
  Published in Media and Entertainment on Saturday, December 13th 2025 at 0:40 GMT by moneycontrol.com

Jiostar Sets Its Sights on a Landmark ICC Deal – A Full‑Commitment Promise

In a decisive move that could reshape how cricket is consumed in India, the emerging digital‑media outfit Jiostar announced that it is fully committed to honouring a newly inked contract with the International Cricket Council (ICC). The press release, shared on MoneyControl’s sports portal and amplified by a series of linked articles, outlines the scope, stakes and future implications of this partnership for the sport’s biggest fan‑base.

Who Is Jiostar?

Jiostar, a relatively young player in the Indian sports‑tech arena, has built a reputation for leveraging cutting‑edge technology to enhance fan engagement. The company offers a suite of services ranging from real‑time statistics and analytics to high‑definition streaming and interactive commentary. In recent years, it has secured niche deals with several cricket academies and regional leagues, positioning itself as a key player in India’s rapidly expanding digital sports ecosystem.

The ICC Deal in a Nutshell

According to the MoneyControl piece, the contract is a multi‑year agreement that grants Jiostar exclusive digital rights to broadcast and produce content for a wide array of ICC events, including:

• ICC Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cups
• ICC Under‑19 Cricket World Cups (both men’s and women’s)
• ICC’s flagship Test and ODI series under the Future Tours Programme (FTP)
• Various ICC development programmes and youth tournaments

While the deal’s financial details were not disclosed, industry observers estimate the valuation to be in the range of ₹25‑30 crore, based on comparable media rights packages in the region. What sets this agreement apart is its breadth: Jiostar will not only stream live matches but also deliver post‑match analysis, on‑field commentary, highlight reels and interactive fan features such as live polls and fantasy‑league integrations.

Why the ICC Turned to Jiostar

The ICC’s own statement, linked in the article, highlighted two primary motives for choosing Jiostar:

1. Digital Innovation – Jiostar’s platform boasts advanced adaptive streaming technology that ensures high‑quality playback even on low‑bandwidth networks—a critical advantage for reaching fans across India’s diverse digital landscape.

2. Fan‑Centric Features – The company’s data‑driven commentary engine can deliver real‑time insights, player stats, and predictive analytics, aligning with the ICC’s strategy to deepen fan engagement and broaden its global audience.

Earlier this year, the ICC announced a shift toward digital-first delivery for all its flagship tournaments, seeking partners that could provide a “holistic viewing experience.” Jiostar’s proven track record in sports analytics and its growing subscriber base made it an ideal fit.

Addressing the Rumours

In the days following the announcement, a handful of reports on MoneyControl suggested there might be delays in the contractual fulfilment, citing logistical hurdles and questions over licensing clearances. The CEO of Jiostar, Arun Kumar, addressed these concerns in an interview linked in the article. He reiterated the company’s commitment, stating:

“We are fully aligned with the ICC’s timelines and have allocated dedicated resources to ensure seamless delivery of all content. Our partnership goes beyond mere streaming; it is about enhancing the cricket‑watching experience for millions of fans.”

Kumar also highlighted that Jiostar’s infrastructure team had already completed a full‑scale test run of the streaming platform in partnership with a regional cricket board, a demonstration that the technology is production‑ready.

What Fans Can Expect

MoneyControl’s follow‑up piece details how Indian fans will be able to enjoy ICC events through Jiostar’s portal and mobile app. Highlights include:

• Multi‑Camera Live Streams – Fans can switch between various camera angles, including a 360° view for select matches.
• Interactive Commentary – Viewers can choose between traditional commentary, a data‑rich “analyst mode,” or a fan‑voice channel that aggregates live comments from millions of users.
• Post‑Match Analytics – Comprehensive match‑report pages with heat‑maps, player performance graphs, and AI‑generated “top 5 moments” segments.
• Offline Access – Match highlights and full‑length replays can be downloaded for later viewing, a feature that will be especially useful in regions with intermittent internet connectivity.

The article also mentioned that Jiostar will roll out a “FanZone”—a social hub where users can join live discussions, vote on player of the match, and participate in mini‑contests tied to the ICC’s official social media accounts.

Looking Ahead

The MoneyControl report concludes with a cautious optimism about the partnership’s long‑term impact. Analysts predict that Jiostar’s involvement will:

1. Boost Viewership Numbers – By offering a superior digital experience, the partnership could lift live viewership by 15‑20% across key markets.
2. Attract Sponsorship – The new platform will provide rich data streams that sponsors can use for targeted advertising, potentially raising revenue for both Jiostar and the ICC.
3. Drive Innovation in Cricket Broadcasting – The use of AI‑driven commentary and real‑time analytics could set a new standard for how cricket is broadcast worldwide.

The article’s final note stresses that Jiostar’s commitment to honour the ICC contract is more than a corporate promise—it represents a strategic step toward redefining cricket fandom in the digital age.

In Summary

Jiostar’s fresh partnership with the ICC marks a significant milestone for both the sports‑tech startup and the governing body of cricket. By combining state‑of‑the‑art streaming technology with interactive fan features, the deal promises to deliver an elevated viewing experience to millions of cricket enthusiasts across India and beyond. With a clear roadmap, a robust technical foundation, and a demonstrable track record, Jiostar is set to honour its contract and, in doing so, help shape the future of cricket broadcasting.