Archive · 8 Dec 2025
ICC Faces Streaming Partner Crisis Ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is in a tough spot.
They have a big cricket tournament called the T20 World Cup coming up in 2026, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka.
The ICC had a deal with a company called JioStar to show the games, but JioStar wants to leave the deal early because they're losing money.
Now, the ICC is trying to find a new company to take over the deal, but so far, none of the big names like Sony, Netflix, or Amazon Prime Video are interested.
The ICC is hoping to sell the rights for the next few tournaments for $2.4 billion, which is less than they got last time.
It's a big problem because the tournament is less than two years away, and they need to find a new partner soon.
The ICC is facing a crisis as JioStar, its current media rights partner, intends to withdraw from the deal for the 2026 T20 World Cup and beyond.
The 2026 T20 World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with India's campaign starting on February 7, 2026.
The ICC has approached Sony Pictures Networks India, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video as potential new partners, but none have shown interest so far.
JioStar is reportedly withdrawing due to significant losses incurred by the streaming platform.
The ICC aims to sell the media rights for the 2026-29 cycle in India for $2.4 billion, down from the $3 billion valuation for the 2024-27 rights.
- Who
- International Cricket Council (ICC) and Reliance Industries-controlled JioStar
- What
- ICC is facing a crisis with its media rights partner, JioStar, intending to withdraw from the deal for the 2026 T20 World Cup and beyond.
- When
- The schedule for the 2026 T20 World Cup was unveiled on November 25, 2025, with the tournament set to begin on February 7, 2026.
- Where
- The 2026 T20 World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
- Why
- JioStar is reportedly withdrawing due to significant losses incurred by the streaming platform.
- Event
- 2026 T20 World Cup
- Host Countries
- India and Sri Lanka
- India's Campaign Start Date
- February 7, 2026
- Current Media Rights Partner
- JioStar
- Potential New Partners Approached
- Sony Pictures Networks India, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
