New Delhi: Leading broadcasters Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) and Discovery Communications have bought the bid documents for the upcoming auction of media rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on 21 July invited bids for media rights for a five-year period from 2018 to 2022. Both television and digital media rights of the IPL Twenty20 cricket tournament will be up for auction.

When contacted, SPN and Discovery Communications confirmed the development. SPN was the official broadcaster for the last season of the IPL. Sony Pictures Network India’s rights for years 2015-2018 are due to expire.

The last date for buying the bid documents is 24 August and the bidding process will close on 28 August. The results will be announced on the same day.

Discovery Communications has launched its sports TV channel DSPORT for the Indian subcontinent. The channel focuses on bringing over 4,000 hours live sports content from around the world to Indian audiences.

Chinese mobile firm Vivo has retained the IPL’s title sponsorship for the next five years with a mammoth bid of Rs2,199 crore, an over 500% increase from their previous deal. It had held the rights for 2016 and 2017 seasons. The deal was pegged at an estimated Rs100 crore per year.

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