Millions Could Miss Watching World Cup In India And China Amid FIFA Broadcast Crisis

NEW DELHI, May 4 (Reuters) - Millions of soccer fans in the world’s two most populous nations may not be able to watch the World Cup that starts next month, due to a deadlock over broadcast rights in India and no official decision in China. In India, a Reliance-Disney joint venture has offered $20 million for 2026 World Cup broadcast rights, a fraction of FIFA’s ask, which was not acceptable to soccer’s global governing body, two sources told Reuters on Monday. Sony 6758.

T held talks but also decided not to make an offer for FIFA rights for India, a third source with direct knowledge said. News: Todd Blanche Grilled Over Why DOJ Went After Comey's Post And Not MAGA Pundit's Nearly Identical One There has also been no deal announcement for China, which FIFA says accounted for 49. 8% of all hours of viewing on digital and social platforms globally during the 2022 World Cup .

FIFA did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Reliance-Disney, a joint venture led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance RELI. NS, did not respond to requests for comment, and neither did Sony.

The lack of a confirmed broadcast agreement with India or China is unusual at this stage. In past World Cup s, including 2018 and 2022, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV secured the rights well in advance and began airing promotional content and sponsor-driven advertisements weeks before the tournament. News: Shooting At Lake Near Oklahoma City Injures At Least 12 CCTV, which has extensive reach across television and digital platforms, did not immediately return a request for comment.