New Delhi [India], May 21 (HBTV): Washington DC-based investment firm Avni LLC has claimed that it submitted a corporate guarantee backed by financial commitments exceeding USD 300 million in February 2026 as part of FIFA’s closed tender process for broadcasting rights in the Indian subcontinent.
According to the company, an associated partner secured the winning bid after competing against several major Indian broadcasters.
The development comes just weeks before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with India still without a confirmed broadcaster for one of the world’s largest sporting events.
Avni LLC said it is proposing a broader broadcasting strategy beyond traditional television, focusing on OTT platforms, AI-powered multilingual broadcasts, mobile micro-subscriptions, and esports integration across Asia.
‘The Indian subcontinent alone has the ability to exceed initial valuation expectations,’ Deelip Mhaske, President and CEO of Avni LLC, said.
The situation contrasts sharply with neighbouring China, where state broadcaster China Media Group finalised a comprehensive deal with FIFA on May 15.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has issued notices to Prasar Bharati following a petition seeking mandatory free-to-air telecast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on DD Sports to prevent a potential blackout in India.
FIFA has stated only that discussions regarding the India broadcast rights ‘are ongoing and must remain confidential at this stage.’
Last week, the Delhi High Court issued notices to the Centre and Prasar Bharati while hearing a petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution by advocate Avdhesh Bairwa. The plea sought directions to ensure that the FIFA World Cup 2026 is broadcast in India, especially through free-to-air public broadcasters such as Doordarshan and DD Sports.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued the notices during the hearing of the petition.
The petition noted that despite the tournament being scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, no broadcaster in India has acquired the media rights so far. It argued that millions of football fans across the country could be deprived of watching one of the biggest sporting events globally.
According to the plea, FIFA initially valued the India broadcasting rights package for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups at around USD 100 million. However, due to a lack of interest from broadcasters, the valuation was reportedly reduced to nearly USD 35 million. The petition further claimed that no final agreement has been reached despite the reduction.
(ANI)