Pakistan Super League Broadcast Rights: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is on the brink of finalizing a record-breaking broadcast deal for the Pakistan Super League (PSL). A PSL franchise is reportedly preparing to offer ₨4.5 billion annually for the broadcast rights, potentially culminating in a four-year agreement worth ₨18 billion. This deal, if secured, would mark the largest in Pakistan cricket history and involve airing matches on Pakistan Television, the state broadcaster.
Two major sports channels have been disqualified from the bidding process due to unpaid debts totaling over ₨5.3 billion. Despite extended deadlines, these channels failed to clear their dues, resulting in their disqualification. The PCB had invited tenders for a four-year media rights contract, attracting several interested parties, but the financial liabilities of these channels led to their exclusion.
Sources indicate that a company owning a PSL franchise is keen to secure the media rights, potentially submitting a record-breaking bid. The proposed offer is expected to reach ₨4.5 billion annually, with live streaming rights bids possibly hitting ₨7 billion. This would surpass any previous deals in the history of Pakistan cricket.
The PCB has prohibited consortium bids to prevent collusion among broadcasters. Under the tender terms, companies can bid for television broadcast, digital streaming, or both, with a ₨100 million bid security. The 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League is set to commence on March 26, 2026, featuring 44 matches, up from 34 last year due to the addition of two new teams. This expansion effectively aligns the four-year deal’s value with a previous five-year contract.
PCB regulations stipulate that for broadcast deals exceeding ₨3 billion, a portion of the surplus will be allocated to signing iconic foreign players, with the remainder distributed 80% to the PCB and 20% to the franchises. Last year’s production costs exceeded ₨1 billion, highlighting the financial stakes involved in this historic agreement.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 20th, 2026
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