Source:REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis
[Saba Sports News] According to Japanese media reports, the broadcast rights price for next year’s World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico is estimated at $200 million. Recently, two Japanese streaming giants, NTT Docomo and DAZN, jointly announced that they are in negotiations with FIFA for the broadcast rights of next year’s World Cup and are expected to acquire the live broadcast rights for all 104 matches. Multiple sources indicate that the estimated value of the broadcast rights for the US-Canada-Mexico World Cup is $200 million. The broadcast rights fee for the previous 2022 Qatar World Cup was $130 million. Following the expansion of the US-Canada-Mexico World Cup, the number of matches has increased, allowing FIFA to raise its asking price. It is reported that FIFA initially asked for $260 million but found no takers, subsequently reducing the price to $200 million. Furthermore, NHK has obtained authorization from these two companies to televise a certain number of matches, including the opening match, the final, and matches involving the Japanese national team. In recent years, soaring sports broadcasting fees have made it unaffordable for many commercial TV stations, leading to many matches disappearing from traditional television screens. While in countries like the UK, sports are considered a public good, and laws prevent pay-TV operators from monopolizing national-level events, Japan is also seriously considering reforms.