Streaming platform Hotstar will broadcast this year’s IPL on their platforms in the UK.
They confirmed on Twitter that they have won the exclusive digital streaming rights. The development puts in doubt Sky’s coverage of the tournament. They announced with much fanfare in 2018 that they had signed a multi-year deal to broadcast the IPL, but are yet to provide any details of their coverage of this year’s tournament.
MYSTERY SOLVED ?
At least for now! ?
Catch all the VIVO IPL action LIVE on Hotstar, streaming March 23 onwards. #GameBanayegaName #VivoIPL2019 #VIVOIPLonHotstar #GuessTheName pic.twitter.com/MdbjSIGwvK
— Hotstar UK (@hotstarUK) March 18, 2019
At the time of writing, the Sky Sports TV guide states that they will show ‘Cricket’s Greatest Games’, ‘Masterclass: Rashid Khan’, and ‘Masterclass: Tammy Beaumont’ during the opening game of the competition when Chennai Super Kings take on Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday, March 23.
Correspondence between Sky and their customers suggest they are still attempting to secure the rights for this year’s coverage.
Hello Rita, as we confirmed yesterday. We are still in negotiations at this stage and we will update you asap ? ^JD
— Sky Help Team (@SkyHelpTeam) March 19, 2019
Wisden has reached out to Sky for comment, but they are yet to respond. When contacted, Star TV would not confirm either way whether or not the IPL would be shown on their channel in the UK.
