Leading media firm JioStar stated on Friday that it is fully committed to honouring its contractual obligations with the International Cricket Council (ICC) in both letter and spirit.
This clarification follows reports suggesting that the prominent broadcaster intends to withdraw from the USD 3-billion contract ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
JioStar is a joint venture formed after the merger of Reliance’s media business and the Indian operations of global media giant Walt Disney.
“Both organisations remain focused on delivering uninterrupted, world-class coverage of upcoming ICC events to fans across India, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, one of the sport’s most anticipated global tournaments,” JioStar said in a statement.
Preparations
for these events are progressing as planned, with no impact on viewers, advertisers, or industry partners.
“ICC and JioStar, as long-term commercial partners, maintain regular communication on operational, commercial and strategic matters focused on the role the partnership can play in growing the sport,” it said.
Both ICC and JioStar have acknowledged recent media reports regarding the status of the ICC’s media rights agreement in India.
“These reports do not reflect the position of either organisation. The existing agreement between the ICC and JioStar remains fully in force, and JioStar continues as the ICC’s official media rights partner in India. Any suggestion that JioStar has withdrawn from the agreement is incorrect,” the statement said.
Issuing a separate statement, ICC said, “The existing agreement between the ICC and JioStar remains fully in force, and JioStar continues as the ICC’s official media rights partner in India. Any suggestion that JioStar has withdrawn from the agreement is incorrect.”
The cricket body further emphasized that JioStar is fully committed to honouring its contractual obligations in both letter and spirit.
Earlier reports had suggested that JioStar informed the ICC of its intention to withdraw from the remaining two years of its four-year deal due to financial losses, prompting the cricket body to explore new bidders for the 2026-29 rights cycle.
(With inputs from Agencies)
