One of the leading Indian media conglomerates, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) has obtained a media rights renewal agreement to telecast the DP World International League T20 (ILT20).
As a result of this agreement, the media company will broadcast live DP World ILT20 season 3 on ZEE’s OTT platform ZEE5, and on TV, commencing on January 11, 2025. The 34-match event will go on for a month, with the final taking place on February 9, 2025.
Season 2 of the DP World ILT20 was the world’s second-most-watched T20 cricket competition, with 348 million unique viewers. Cricket fans in India, as well as around the globe, can watch live action exclusively on ZEE’s linear TV stations, the OTT platform ZEE5, and syndicate partners’ TV and digital networks worldwide.
The season 3 announcement follows a highly successful season 2, which ended with MI Emirates clinching the coveted DP World ILT20 trophy at Dubai International Stadium on February 17, 2024.
The upcoming event will also be held at three conventional UAE cricket stadiums: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.
The franchise-style competition will include six clubs and 34 matches around the UAE. The competition has six franchise teams: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors.
Season 2 featured some of the world’s most famous cricketers, including Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dwayne Bravo, Robin Uthappa, Chris Lynn, Moeen Ali, and many more.
The third season’s broad distribution and disruptive marketing approach intend to expand the league’s reach and increase viewing, emphasising ILT20’s attractiveness to a wide range of audiences. In its previous season, the league had a tremendous reach of over 221 million people across India.
ZEE5 will broadcast 34 cricket matches live and free of charge in Hindi and English, with the goal of increasing cricket viewership in the Indian subcontinent and beyond. This initiative demonstrates a commitment to making cricket more accessible to a larger audience, democratising the region’s sports viewing experiences.
Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer – Ad Sales, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, commented, “ZEE is delighted to present DP World ILT20 3rd season and promises an electrifying experience to cricket fans in India and around the world. With the world’s finest players, iconic stadiums, and infrastructure and six leading sporting franchises, our goal is to build upon the previous year’s success, further solidifying the league’s stature as one of the most-widely followed cricket events in the world. In our pursuit to grow the market, we are continuously exploring innovative ways to enhance the fan experience, making it more interactive, immersive, and engaging.
“We are collaborating with cutting-edge technologies and creating new avenues for cricket enthusiasts to connect with the sport. As we embark on this exciting new season, our goal is to ensure that this truly-global league becomes more accessible to viewers worldwide.”
David White, CEO, DP World ILT20, said, “We are delighted to confirm the window for DP World International League T20 Season 3. The window has been finalised after discussions with our stakeholders. We have begun our preparations for Season 3 with an aim of making the league even bigger and better. Season 2 was a massive success in terms of all relevant metrics and helped further strengthen the league’s reputation, making it one of the most sought after T20 leagues for players, fans and broadcasters from around the world. Having considered all aspects, the January-February window for Season 3 has turned out to be the most suitable.”