Archive · 23 Jul 2026
Zee Partners with FanCode for ZIM vs IND Streaming
When India played Zimbabwe in a cricket series, many fans thought they could watch it on ZEE5 because of the FIFA World Cup.
But they found out that while ZEE had the TV rights through Unite8 Sports, the digital streaming rights were with FanCode.
This was surprising because ZEE owns ZEE5.
The reason is that sports rights are often split across platforms to reach more people and make more money.
Unite8 Sports is new and needs to attract viewers, so keeping cricket exclusive helps.
FanCode is great for sports fans who want to pay only for specific matches.
DD Sports also shows the matches for free.
This way, different platforms serve different audiences without competing directly.
Fans expected to watch India vs Zimbabwe T20I series on ZEE5 due to FIFA World Cup streaming.
ZEE holds TV rights through Unite8 Sports, while FanCode has exclusive digital streaming rights.
ZEEL partnered with FanCode to leverage platform strengths and maximize audience reach.
Unite8 Sports keeps cricket exclusive to attract viewers and strengthen its new sports network.
FanCode offers flexible viewing options like Match Passes, ideal for short cricket tours.
- Who
- Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), FanCode, DD Sports
- What
- Broadcast rights for India vs Zimbabwe T20I series
- When
- During the India vs Zimbabwe T20I series
- Where
- India and Zimbabwe
- Why
- To maximize distribution, monetization, and audience reach by leveraging platform strengths.
ZEE5 Integration
FanCode Partnership
Platform Strengths
ZEE5 Integration
ZEE5 is a broad entertainment platform, potentially diluting FanCode's sports focus.
FanCode Partnership
FanCode specializes in live sports, offering flexible viewing options like Match Passes.
Audience Reach
ZEE5 Integration
ZEE5 could have leveraged its existing subscriber base for cricket streaming.
FanCode Partnership
FanCode targets digital-first sports viewers, avoiding overlap with ZEE5's broader audience.
- Broadcasting Partners
- Unite8 Sports (TV), FanCode (Digital), DD Sports (Free-to-Air)
- Series
- India vs Zimbabwe T20I series
- Google Trends
- Searches for 'ZIM vs IND Live Streaming' surged over 50,000
- ZEE5 Assumption
- Fans expected ZEE5 to cover the series due to FIFA World Cup streaming.
- Strategic Partnership
- ZEEL and FanCode partnered for India's 2026 tour of Zimbabwe.
- DD Sports
- Shows matches under India's mandatory sports broadcasting sharing framework.