Facebook, Twitter among those interested in IPL digital rights

The digital rights for broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has attracted attention from the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Amazon amongst others.

The Invitation to Tender (ITT) documents have been purchased by eighteen companies amongst which the aforementioned three are a part.

The television broadcast rights are held by Sony Entertainment currently while the Star network has the digital rights, both of which expire by 2017. The new rights for television will be for a period of ten years while digital rights can be purchased for five years, that are split into two groups - the Indian sub-continent region and Rest of the World.

The interest shown has pleased BCCI.

"This is going to be a historical moment for Indian Cricket. I am pleased to see the overwhelming response from the media and technology companies for IPL Media Rights. With the global trends of showcasing content on multiple platforms becoming increasingly important - TV, Internet and Mobile rights are up for grabs together this time. To have as many as 18 prospective bidders in the fray reinstates the faith of market forces in Indian Premier League," said Anurag Thakur in a statement.

The Media Rights bid submission process will happen on October 25, 2016.

The companies that have shown interest are:
1 Star India Pvt. Ltd.
2 Amazon Seller Services Pvt. Ltd.
3 Followon Interactive Media Pvt. Ltd.
4 Taj TV India Pvt. Ltd.
5 Sony Pictures Networks Pvt. Ltd.
6 Times Internet Ltd.
7 Supersport International (Pty) Ltd.
8 Reliance Jio Digital Services Pvt. Ltd.
9 Gulf DTH FZ LLC
10 GroupM Media India Pvt. Ltd.
11 beIN IP Ltd.
12 Econet Media Ltd.
13 SKY UK Ltd.
14 ESPN Digital Media (India) Pvt. Ltd
15 BTG Legal Services
16 BT PLC
17 Twitter Inc.
18 Facebook Inc.