Prasar Bharati Clarifies Position On FIFA World Cup 2026 Broadcast In India
Prasar Bharati denies responsibility for FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast.
India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has told the Delhi High Court that it is not responsible for securing broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026, deepening uncertainty over where Indian viewers will be able to watch the tournament on television. The statement comes at a time when no broadcaster has officially acquired television rights for the tournament in India, just weeks before kickoff. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to begin on June 12 (IST), but the absence of a confirmed broadcaster has raised concerns among millions of football fans across the country.
Prasar Bharati’s position effectively distances the state-run broadcaster from any role in acquiring or airing the tournament. This has left both traditional football audiences and younger viewers uncertain about access to one of the world’s most-watched sporting events, which has historically drawn large Indian viewership despite the national team’s absence from the competition.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest edition of the tournament to date, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, concerns over India’s broadcast rights appear to be linked in part to match timings, with many fixtures expected to air late at night or after midnight Indian Standard Time, reducing potential viewership.
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India has historically ranked among the top global audiences for the FIFA World Cup, with hundreds of millions tuning in during previous editions. The 2022 Qatar World Cup reportedly attracted around 745 million viewers in India across platforms, making it one of the largest football audiences worldwide. Despite this, monetisation of football broadcasting rights in India has remained relatively limited compared to cricket and other major sporting properties.
Industry estimates suggest that digital rights for the previous edition were acquired for around $60 million, while overall revenue expectations for the Indian market have been significantly higher in theory. With less than three weeks remaining before the tournament begins, the absence of a confirmed broadcaster has intensified concerns over accessibility for Indian football fans during the global sporting event.
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