While, the entire cricket world's focus lies on the ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the IPL organisers were busy in their own world as they announced that Novi Digital Entertainment Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Star India have bagged media rights for three seasons, starting with the 2015 edition.
The Marketing Committee of the BCCI met in Mumbai yesterday to look into the bids that were made for the prestigious event. Three entities had put forward their bid, which included Times Internet Ltd, Multi Screen Media Pvt Ltd and Novi Digital Entertainment Pvt Ltd.
The Internet and mobile rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the next three seasons have been awarded to Novi Digital Entertainment Private Limited for an enormous Rs 302 crores.
With Star India having two Platforms in India, hotstar and starsports.com, the company has still not made a concrete plan as to where would they host the IPL.
"We are yet to decide where to put the IPL and how," said a company official, as quoted by Business Standard.
But, the BCCI is happy having joined hands with Novi Digital for the prestigious event, which will head into its eighth edition in 2015.
"Our partnership with Novi Digital Entertainment Pvt Ltd augurs well for the Pepsi IPL as well as millions of fans who follow the tournament and we are delighted to commence an association with the organisation whose bid was found to be the most deserving," said Sanjay Patel of BCCI.
The Star India Network might be a happier lot not only for bagging the internet and media rights, but to add to it -- they have won the digital and television rights for the IPL across various nations, barring United Kingdom and United States of America.
But, one has to remember that the broadcast rights in the Indian sub-continent, primarily in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal lie with Multi Screen Media Pvt Ltd.
The competition is expected o kick start from 8 April and, as usual, fans not only in India, but also all around the world will be expecting it to be one of the biggest event during the year.
