Star Sports Deal With Indian Cricket At Home Ends! Will It Impact The Esports Industry As Well?
Star Sports has been the exclusive broadcaster of Indian cricket at home for more than a decade ever since 2008. The deal which was worth Rs. 43.2 crore per match expired in March this year.
In 2018, there was a bidding wherein Star Sports once again won the new media rights for Indian cricket at home for a whopping Rs. 6138.1 crore per match. The deal was for the period of 2018-2023. The amount was massive reflecting the growing popularity of cricket in India.
The deal ended this year, thus ending Star Sports’ deal with Indian cricket at home. Reports suggest that Reliance-owned Viacom18 has won BCCI media rights for Rs 67.8 crore per match, for a total deal of Rs 5,966 crore, sources.
The end of Star Sports deal has raised concerns regarding the future of the esports industry in India. Esports is a rapidly growing field, estimated to be worth over $1 billion in India. But will the deal actually affect esports?
Impact on the Esports Industry
The impact of the end of Star Sports’ deal with Indian cricket on the esports industry would mostly be indirect and minimal. Since the two fields are distinct they both are related to entertainment and sports.
First, the end of Star Sports deal could lead to a decline in viewership for esports events. Since cricket is the most popular sport in India, the sport has a large viewership and it is likely that since there are more people who watch cricket they would also watch esports events. If cricket is no longer available on Star Sports, these overlapping viewers may be less likely to watch esports events.
Second, the termination of the agreement might make it harder for esports groups to find sponsors. If sponsors believe that an esports event will draw a sizable audience, they are more willing to invest in it. However, sponsors may be less inclined to invest in esports events if viewership drops.
Third, the termination of the agreement might make it harder for esports companies to expand their fan base. To succeed, esports organizations must connect with a sizable audience. It will be increasingly challenging for esports companies to expand their audience if spectatorship for esports events drops.
Possible Solutions
The esports sector can take a number of steps to lessen the effects of Star Sports’ decision to no longer broadcast domestic Indian cricket. Esports firms must first concentrate on producing compelling content that will draw viewers. Additionally, they need to come up with fresh strategies for connecting with their target market, such using streaming services and social media.
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Second, sponsors need to be sought out more aggressively by esports groups. They may achieve this by building trusting bonds with potential sponsors and showcasing the effectiveness of esports marketing.
Third, in order to advance the sector, esports organizations must cooperate with one another. They can accomplish this by planning cooperative activities and pooling resources.
A challenge for the Indian esports business is the termination of Star Sports’ contract with domestic Indian cricket. The industry can take a number of steps to lessen the consequences of this ruling, though. The esports sector in India may continue to expand and prosper by putting an emphasis on producing top-notch content, luring sponsors, and partnering with one another.
