FanCode, the Indian sport-focused media platform owned by Dream Sports, has snapped up domestic streaming rights to an upcoming India against Afghanistan cricket series.
The streaming service unveiled rights to a three-match men's Twenty20 series between the aforementioned two countries in mid-September, with all games to be played in Delhi – the deal is technically a partnership with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) for whom the series is a 'home' event – Afghanistan, for various reasons, play most of their cricket outside their home country now.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The matches will take place on September 13, 15, and 17, with all action to be shown live by FanCode.
The games will be available on web, mobile, and also via connected TVs, through the FanCode app.
TV distribution partner networks include Jio TV/Jio TV+, Amazon Prime, Crex, Jagran, Playbox, Watcho, Tata Play Binge, and Times Prime.
This deal follows on from FanCode recently showing a T20 tour of Zimbabwe by India (with the tourists winning all of the three games played).
FanCode has tie-ups in place with governing bodies for the sport in the West Indies, Ireland, and Zimbabwe, as well as with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
It has also recently been showing the premier T20 club tournament in Sri Lanka, the Lanka Premier League.
Yannick Colaco, co-founder of FanCode, commented: "After the India tour of Zimbabwe, securing another India series significantly strengthens our cricket offerings. We remain committed to our endeavor of bringing the best of global sport to Indian fans."
Outside of cricket, FanCode covers top-tier sporting action from properties including motor racing's Formula 1, Spanish soccer's LaLiga, tennis' ATP Tour, and golf's PGA Tour.
Naseeb Khan, the Afghanistan Cricket Board's chief executive, added: "Afghanistan cricket enjoys a strong and passionate following in India, and through FanCode’s extensive digital reach, we look forward to bringing our fans closer to the action and providing them convenient access to the series.”
Elsewhere in the world of cricket broadcast rights, global sports subscription platform DAZN is now showing a two-Test tour of Australia by Bangladesh – in the UK.
DAZN unveiled these rights earlier this week, with the first Test having started in Darwin, Australia, today.
This marks the first time DAZN is airing international cricket.
Long-term Cricket Australia rights for the next cycle have not yet been sold in the UK – the past three editions of the 'Ashes' series between Australia and England in the former country have been shown live by TNT Sports (and its BT Sport predecessor).
Indeed, England play both limited-overs and Test cricket in Australia over the next eight months – although none of these games constitute Ashes fixtures – and, as such, DAZN has now put itself in a position to bid for these, too.
