The International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday said that ICC cricket rights in Sri Lanka up until the end of 2025 have been awarded to MTV Channel (Private) Limited.

MTV will exploit the broadcast rights via their free to air channels, TV1, Shakthi TV and Sirasa TV. The digital rights will be exploited via www.sirasatv.lk and by icc.tv enabling more fans to watch ICC world events over the next two years, the cricket’s global governing body said in a media statement yesterday.

However, the Sri Lankan media company should not be mixed up with the music and youth channel MTV. According to its LinkedIn page, a subsidiary of Capital Maharaja Group, MTV/MBC Channels is Sri Lanka’s leading news and entertainment provider.

This electronic media outfit of the island nation owns and operates three TV channels and five FM radio stations, broadcasting in all three languages with island-wide coverage. The network is recognized as the most influential in Sri Lanka, as well as being its foremost media and communication strategist, the LinkedIn profile added.

Meanwhile, the ICC statement elaborated that the MTV network covers all the three main languages in the country and has a dedicated sports channel carrying live broadcasting of all major sporting events.

The events covered in the deal are the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 and ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said, “We are delighted to be partnering with MTV which is an exciting addition to our suite of broadcast partners. Sri Lanka has such a rich history of cricket and this partnership is a fantastic opportunity to create more fans who can enjoy the sport.”

Chevaan Daniel, Group Director, Capital Maharaja Group, said: “We are delighted that MTV has successfully secured the exclusive broadcasting rights for world cricket in Sri Lanka for the next two years especially considering CMG’s close association with cricket in Sri Lanka since over many decades.

“This exciting development marks a significant stride in our commitment to delivering premium sports content to our viewers. Cricket holds a special place in the hearts of Sri Lankans, and we are thrilled to bring the exhilarating action of world cricket to screens across the nation, as we aim to elevate the cricket viewing experience for fans.”

However, no financial details about the media rights deal were divulged.

(Image courtesy Sri Lanka Cricket website)