As the countdown to the Asia Cup 2025 continues, a major concern has emerged for cricket fans in Pakistan — the TV broadcasting rights for the tournament are still not finalized. While the tournament is set to kick off on September 9 in the UAE, viewers in Pakistan may be left without a local broadcaster unless ongoing negotiations reach a resolution.
Sony’s $12 Million Demand Stalls Progress
According to sources, the Indian media giant Sony, which owns the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) rights from 2024 to 2031, has demanded $12 million USD for broadcasting rights in Pakistan for the two upcoming Asia Cups (men’s and women’s). However, none of the three major Pakistani TV channels currently negotiating are willing to match that demand due to concerns over profitability and market conditions.
Channels Exploring Consortium Model
To address the high cost, the channels have initiated talks to form a broadcast consortium, where costs and rights would be shared between networks. This collaborative approach could potentially satisfy Sony’s financial demands, but no agreement has been reached as of yet. If the consortium plan fails, negotiations are expected to continue with the aim of reducing the rights fee.
Digital Rights Already Finalized
While TV rights remain in limbo, Pakistan’s digital rights for the Asia Cup 2025 have already been finalized, with an official announcement expected soon. Notably, Pakistan’s state broadcaster made a rare profit during the recent series against Bangladesh, sparking optimism that a similar deal for the Asia Cup could be financially viable if terms are agreeable.
Asia Cup 2025: 19 Matches, High Stakes
This year’s tournament will feature 19 matches from September 9 to 28, hosted across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. If India and Pakistan both reach the final, fans could be treated to three high-voltage India-Pakistan clashes — a massive draw for advertisers and broadcasters alike.
ACC’s Lucrative Rights Deal
In 2023, the Asian Cricket Council sold 8 years of broadcasting rights (2024–2031) to Sony India for $170 million USD (approximately PKR 47.26 billion). These rights include:
- Four men’s and four women’s Asia Cups
- The Emerging Teams Asia Cup
- A total of 119 matches
From that deal, Pakistan’s share is around 25% (approx. $42.5 million), although digital and TV rights are accounted separately.
India Still Drives Majority of Revenue
Unsurprisingly, India generates about 65% of the ACC’s revenue, thanks to its massive viewership and sponsorship potential. That revenue dominance explains Sony’s strong negotiating stance, especially with India-Pakistan matches serving as financial blockbusters. Additionally, the BCCI’s influence within the ACC and its control over major viewership markets indirectly impact the pace and structure of broadcasting negotiations.
What’s Next?
Time is running short. Unless a deal is finalized in the coming weeks, Pakistan might miss out on live TV coverage of the Asia Cup — a scenario that would disappoint millions of fans and limit exposure for sponsors and advertisers. In such a case, Sony could choose to broadcast the tournament directly through its digital platforms or partner with regional OTT services to ensure some level of access in Pakistan.
Conclusion
The Asia Cup 2025 promises thrilling matches and historic rivalries, but unless Pakistan’s broadcasters reach an agreement with Sony soon, the local audience could be left in the dark. Will a last-minute deal be struck? Or will digital streaming be the only way for Pakistani fans to watch the action unfold? Stay tuned. If talks stall further, regulatory bodies like PEMRA or the Ministry of Information might intervene to ensure public access to national cricket broadcasts, especially for a high-profile event like the Asia Cup.
