Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (‘Z’) has secured the exclusive broadcast and digital media rights for Italy’s premier football competitions—Serie A, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana—across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the Maldives for a five-year period beginning August 22, 2026.
The acquisition marks another significant milestone in the company’s strategy to strengthen its premium football portfolio and expand access to global sporting content for audiences across the Indian subcontinent.
Beginning August 22, football fans will be able to watch live matches, highlights and exclusive football content from the Italian leagues on Zee5 and the Unite8 Sports channels. The competitions feature some of the world’s most iconic clubs, including AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, along with internationally renowned players such as Lautaro Martínez, Paulo Dybala and Mateo Retegui.
The latest acquisition further enhances Zee Entertainment’s position as a destination for premium global football properties, complementing its existing portfolio that includes FIFA tournaments and the Bundesliga.
Commenting on the acquisition, Bavesh Janavlekar, Chief Business Officer – Unite8 Sports, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., said, “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. As one of the most respected leagues in football, ‘Serie A’ brings together iconic clubs and talent that have captivated generations of fans. We are thrilled to present all the action and intensity of the league on Zee 5 and Unite8 channels, offering consumers a truly differentiated destination for global football. Together with FIFA and Bundesliga, it further strengthens our ability to offer consumers compelling football content, while creating new opportunities to deepen the engagement beyond the live match.”
The company said the addition of the Italian football properties significantly bolsters its growing portfolio of marquee global football competitions and reinforces its commitment to expanding the sport’s appeal across demographics in the region.
Leveraging its linear television reach and digital distribution capabilities, Zee Entertainment aims to deepen fan engagement with competitions organised by Lega Serie A while creating enhanced value for advertisers through a comprehensive football offering.
With the upcoming seasons of Serie A, Bundesliga and an extensive slate of FIFA tournaments, the company is positioning itself as a comprehensive destination for international football content. Alongside its premium sports programming and on-ground initiatives, Zee Entertainment aims to further strengthen the football ecosystem across India and the wider subcontinent.
