India’s Zee Entertainment signs World Cup 2026 broadcast deal with FIFA
Summary
FIFA has signed a deal with India’s Zee Entertainment to broadcast the World Cup tournaments from 2026 through 2034 in India. The agreement covers 39 FIFA events, including the 2027 Women’s World Cup, and ends a long wait for World Cup broadcast rights in India.Key Facts
- Zee Entertainment secured the broadcast rights for FIFA events in India through 2034.
- The deal includes 39 FIFA events such as the World Cup 2026, 2030, and the Women’s World Cup 2027.
- FIFA initially sought about $100 million but reduced the asking price to around $60 million.
- India’s sports broadcast market is largely dominated by Reliance-Disney’s JioStar.
- Most 2026 World Cup matches will air late at night in India due to a 10-12 hour time difference with host countries.
- The late match times made broadcasters less interested compared to previous tournaments with more favorable time zones.
- Zee’s shares rose around 7% after the deal was announced.
- Cricket remains the leading sport in India’s market, with FIFA World Cup drawing a smaller audience in comparison.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.