Zee Entertainment in talks with FIFA on World Cup broadcast rights in India (updated)

Sony

26/05/2026 17:07

Adds detail from paragraph 1

    May 26 (Reuters) - India's Zee Entertainment ZEE.NS is in talks with FIFA to stream and broadcast the 2026 World Cup in the country, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. 
The announcement, which provided no financial details, comes as talks between a Reliance-Disney joint venture and the football body are at a deadlock, just weeks before the tournament kicks off on June 11.
FIFA, which had initially sought $100 million for broadcast rights for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups in India, was last looking for no less than about $60 ​million, Reuters had reported.
The expected amount still far exceeds the $20 million offered by Reliance-Disney, led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance RELI.NS.
Sony 6758.T also held talks but decided not to make an offer for FIFA rights for India.
FIFA has concluded ​agreements with broadcasters in more than 180 territories globally, it said previously.
Zee Entertainment disclosed its talks with FIFA as part of its launch of Unite8 Sports, a dedicated portfolio of sports channels to strengthen its sports offerings to consumers.
India accounted for 2.9% of the global linear TV reach of the World Cup in 2022.

 (Reporting by Abhirami G in Bengaluru
Editing by David Goodman and Tomasz Janowski)
 ((abhirami.g@thomsonreuters.com))