Viacom18, one of India’s leading media & entertainment networks, has bagged the exclusive TV and digital rights for the Abu Dhabi T10 series.

As per the company’s press release, the exciting cricket series will premiere on November 19, 2021 live on Colors Cineplex SD (Hindi), Colors Cineplex HD (English), Rishtey Cineplex (Hindi), Voot and Jio.

The eight teams that will be a part of this series represent 20 nations and include former and current cricketers like Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Shahid Afridi, Muhammad Amir, Eoin Morgan, David Miller, Dawid Malan, Faf Du Plessis, Jason Roy, Chris Gayle, Dwaye Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Colin Munro, Babar Azam, Wahab Riaz and Imran Tahir.

Facilitated by India’s largest sports management firm RISE Worldwide, Viacom18’s multi-year partnership with Abu Dhabi T10 series will further enhance cricketing action in India, the company statement said.

The series will have 90 minutes of fast-paced cricketainment over 34 matches. The sporting extravaganza is sanctioned by cricket’s governing body ICC.

Speaking about the partnership Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Head, Hindi Mass Entertainment and Kids TV Network, Viacom18, said, “Sporting events have always attracted a wide spectrum of audiences and we have been successfully experimenting with sports content on our network. The Abu Dhabi T10 collaboration is a bold step in further enhancing our sports content mix and we are hopeful it will help us expand our viewer and sponsor base.”

Rohan Lavsi, Business Head, Hindi Movies Cluster, Viacom18, added, “We are excited to bring to our extensive cricket fan base in India the unique, snackable, high-energy T10 format. It is our vision and constant endeavor to present our viewers with an unmatched entertainment experience that doesn’t require an episodic commitment. Movies and sports fit this vision and in that sense are quite complementary as a variated content mix.”

The Abu Dhabi T10 league is a unique, high-intensity tournament, which has created a niche and established its mark in the global sporting calendar. The format will have eight participating teams, each representing a region from the subcontinent. The teams are named Delhi Bulls, Pune Devils, Bangla Tigers, Deccan Gladiators, Maratha Arabians, Qalandars, Northern Warriors, and Team Abu Dhabi.

Matthew Boucher, CEO of Abu Dhabi Cricket said, “Broadcasting the Abu Dhabi T10 to homes in the Indian Subcontinent on one of the leading television and streaming channels in the country makes this media agreement truly unique as global multi platform viewership is a priority for us as a host destination partner.”

According to Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman T10 Sports Management, The Abu Dhabi T10 has grown by leaps and bounds over the past four seasons and has generated keen interest globally and gained tremendous traction in India.