ICC and JioStar confirm partnership, reaffirm $3 billion India media-rights deal

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and JioStar have dismissed rumours of a fallout after media reports suggested that their four-year India media-rights partnership could be headed for an early termination. The reports claimed that JioStar, operated by Reliance Industries, had formally notified the ICC that it would be unable to honour the remaining two years of the agreement.

Had the report been true, JioStar would have pulled out as the official broadcaster for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka, along with other commitments tied to the ongoing rights cycle.

“The International Cricket Council (ICC) and JioStar have noted recent media reports concerning 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 Any suggestion that JioStar has withdrawn from the agreement is incorrect,” the statement read as quoted by NDTV Sports.

In a joint statement, the ICC and JioStar confirmed that their $3 billion media-rights deal remains fully intact, reaffirming their commitment to delivering uninterrupted, world-class coverage to cricket fans across India. This clarification comes after earlier media reports suggested that JioStar was planning to exit the agreement due to significant financial losses reportedly incurred by the platform.

“JioStar is fully committed to honour its contractual obligations in letter and spirit. 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. Preparations for these events are progressing exactly as planned, and there is 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,” the report added.

The marquee ICC T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is set to begin on February 7, with Pakistan facing the Netherlands in the tournament opener in Colombo. The final is scheduled to be played on March 8.