Viacom18 wins media rights for 2022 FIFA World Cup for Rs 450 cr: Report

It is learnt that Viacom18 has won the bid for media rights for FIFA World Cup 2022. As per media reports, Viacom18 shelled out Rs 450 crore for media rights for the football tournament, which will be played in Qatar. Sony Pictures Networks had the media rights for FIFA World Cup 2018. It is learnt that Sony and Star were among the broadcasters in the race for the media rights this time.

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According to media reports, Viacom18 is planning to launch a sports channel. The network is also in the process of expanding its channel bouquet in India after receiving fresh licences from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

Along with cricket, football has also garnered huge viewership in India. As reported earlier, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia broke viewership barriers with over 250 million viewers tuning in to the tournament in India. The tournament was telecast live on SONY TEN 2, SONY TEN 3 and SONY ESPN channels and live streamed on SonyLIV app and website, and garnered over 250 million viewers across 64 matches played until the end of the tournament. West Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra/ Goa and Assam/ North East/ Sikkim were the markets with top reach, as per BARC (All India, CS2+, LIVE matches, SPN Sports Network + terrestrial network).

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The 2022 edition of FIFA is also expected to garner record breaking viewership and heavy advertiser interest, given the keep following that football sees in India.