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Khalid Al Zarooni and Rahul Johri have expressed delight with UAE T20 League and Zee joining hands for the telecast of the professional league. Image Credit: Supplied

Dubai: The UAE’s T20 League, on Tuesday, announced the signing of a long-term global media rights’ contract with ZEE, which will air the six-team league on its channels and its OTT platform in India and across the world.

UAE’s T20 League is a professional cricket tournament is a 34-match competition between teams owned by Reliance Industries Limited, Adani Sportsline, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lancer Capital, GMR Group and Capri Global.

ZEE’s strong global presence across 190+ countries will help build the reach and resonance for the League with viewers and partners. UAE’s T20 League matches will air across ZEE’s 10 linear channels in the HSM (Hindi Speaking Markets), South and East regions in English, Hindi, and Tamil languages. The League will also be simultaneously streamed Live on ZEE5, and on radio globally.

Strength of viewership

Khalid Al Zarooni, Chairman UAE’s T20 League, said: “Nothing can be more satisfying than to have a credible broadcast partner like ZEE associated with the League. I am thankful to both Punit Goenka, MD & CEO, and Rahul Johri, President — Business South Asia at ZEE, for having faith in this League and to grow into a commercially successful enterprise. It is further a matter of delight that ZEE has decided to re-enter sports broadcast with UAE’s T20 League being the first media rights acquisition. We are very confident that ZEE has the strength of viewership to take our League to unmatched levels.”

Rahul Johri, President — Business, South Asia, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, said: “At ZEE, we are delighted to be the official global media rights holder of UAE’s T20 League. We believe that the League, which is already attracting globally, the biggest cricket stars and team franchisees, will provide fantastic cricket and entertainment to viewers across the world. ZEE is committed to use the strength of its platforms to take UAE’s T20 League to audiences in India and across the globe.”

Develop local talent

Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary ECB, said: “ECB wishes both UAE’s T20 League and ZEE well for entering into this partnership. We recognise and appreciate the massive reach of ZEE’s channels and their Digital media platform, which will benefit the League in terms of viewership. The tournament will also provide a valuable platform for Emirates Cricket to develop the local talent and to provide players the opportunity to train and play alongside the world’s best.”