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JioStar signals exit from ICC media deal before 2026 T20 World Cup: Reports
MUMBAI: JioStar is preparing to walk away from its marquee International Cricket Council media rights agreement, according to a report by The Economic Times, the company has formally informed the cricket body of its intention to withdraw.
The Reliance backed joint venture with Disney had clinched global broadcast and digital rights worth nearly 3 billion dollars for the 2024 to 2027 cycle. Reports now indicate the deal has become too costly to sustain, prompting the ICC to quietly begin sounding out alternative broadcasters and streamers.
Industry whispers place Sony Sports, Netflix and Amazon Prime among the early names approached. JioStar has not released a public statement so far. Reports add that the ICC is awaiting an official response even as it activates its backup plan.
The shake up comes as the ICC kicks off a fresh rights evaluation for the 2026 to 2029 cycle, a package expected to be valued at around 2.4 billion rupees. A mid cycle exit of this scale could redraw the map of cricket broadcasting in India.
Strain had been building. JioStar’s latest filings show a sharp jump in provisions for loss making sports contracts from 12,319 crore rupees in FY24 to 25,760 crore rupees in FY25. Revenue from advertising, subscriptions and syndication rose modestly to 21,044 crore rupees but operating expenses of 17,826 crore rupees kept profits under pressure.
Despite this, the company still commands roughly 34 percent of India’s television entertainment market and more than 85 percent of sports viewership.
The trouble goes back further. Reports point out that Star India reached out to the ICC in August 2024 to revisit the terms of the original contract after the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup delivered underwhelming Indian viewership due to unfavourable match timings in the United States and the Caribbean.
If confirmed, JioStar’s exit would mark one of the most dramatic shifts in India’s sports media landscape in years and could reshape how cricket is packaged, priced and consumed.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
