Star India acquires Cricket South Africa's media rights till 2024

After being the only Sports channel to have the exclusive broadcasting rights of India, ICC’s global tournaments, Indian Premier League (IPL) and Bangladesh, Star locks a deal with Cricket South Africa (CSA) to acquire the rights of telecasting the matches of South African cricket team in Asia, Middle-East and North African regions.

The three-year deal with CSA ensures that Star has access across linear and digital mediums. Also, according to the contract, there will be at least 20 matches at home against the visiting Indian cricket team. The first India tour of South Africa is scheduled in 2021-22 and comprises three Test matches and a three-match T20I series.

Speaking about the three-year contract with Cricket South Africa, the CEO of Star Sports stated that the channel will be hosting the matches of the South African team till 2024. He also revealed that the deal begins with the England tour of South Africa, starting from November 27 and this would be the first time that the Three T20 Internationals between the two nations will be telecasted in the Hindi language.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Cricket South Africa. This alliance fortifies our commitment to cricket and our belief in the significance of sport in Star India’s consumer proposition. South Africa has some of the most highly recalled Cricketers and competitive teams, which pride themselves in taking on the best from around the world. We look forward to hosting the best of South African cricket till 2024,” said Sanjog Gupta, CEO – Sports, Star India as quoted by Cricbuzz.

“Star India has made significant investments over the years to deepen the relationship that fans have with the game via enhanced story-telling, innovations in broadcast and regionalisation. The broadcast of IPL was an unprecedented collective endeavour built on the same principles.”

“We will hope to apply the same approach and elevate the consumer experience of CSA’s matches. The partnership will kick off with the England tour of South Africa on November 27 during which the three T20Is will be broadcast in Hindi for the very first time. This will give these matches significant reach in the Hindi-speaking markets,” he added.

As per the Future Tours Program, Star can telecast as many as 59 home games of South Africa including some lucrative series against India, England and Australia. The agreement also covers home internationals featuring the South African women’s team as well as domestic franchise games.

“There are few social events on the South African sporting calendar that rally our fans up as much as the cricket-showdown between South Africa, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, so we wholeheartedly welcome this agreement with Star India.”

We look forward to partnering with Star India and to delivering wicket-smashing cricket: CSA

“Knowing that the sport reaches millions of people all over the world, which is now further amplified by this Star deal, will see our Protea teams even more powered up to impress fans and to outperform their rivals! We look forward to partnering with Star India and to delivering wicket-smashing cricket until the end of the 2023-24 season,” CSA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Kugandrie Govender said.