Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. has acquired the exclusive broadcast and digital rights for Italy’s top-tier football competitions, including Serie A, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana, across India and six other South Asian markets for a period of five years.
The agreement covers India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the Maldives, with the rights set to commence from August 22, 2026. Matches, highlights and related content will be available on Zee5 and the company’s Unite8 Sports channels.
The acquisition marks another significant step in Zee’s push to build a comprehensive football ecosystem and strengthen its positioning as a destination for premium global football content.
Home to clubs such as AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, Serie A is among Europe’s most-followed football leagues and features several globally recognised players, including Lautaro Martínez, Paulo Dybala and Mateo Retegui.
Commenting on the development, Bavesh Janavlekar, Chief Business Officer, Unite8 Sports, Zee Entertainment, said the addition of Serie A and its associated cup competitions reflects the growing popularity of football among audiences in India.
“At Z, our commitment is to build a robust football ecosystem that brings Indian fans closer to the sport through premium content and a quality viewing experience. The addition of key global properties like Serie A, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana to our portfolio is a firm reflection of the scale and passion of football across the country,” Janavlekar said.
He added that alongside the company’s existing football properties, including FIFA tournaments and Bundesliga, the Italian league rights would strengthen Zee’s ability to deepen fan engagement while creating new opportunities for advertisers.
The deal further expands Zee’s sports portfolio at a time when broadcasters and streaming platforms are increasingly competing for marquee sports rights to drive subscriptions, viewer engagement and advertising revenues.
With the addition of Serie A, Zee now has a broader football offering spanning international tournaments, European league football and cup competitions. The company believes the combination of its linear television reach and digital distribution through Zee5 will help increase visibility and engagement for Italian football across the region.
The upcoming football calendar will see Zee offer content from Serie A, Bundesliga and FIFA competitions, creating a year-round football proposition for viewers and brands alike. The company said the expanded portfolio would support its broader ambition of building a vibrant sports ecosystem across India and the subcontinent.
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