Serie A has ended its broadcasting blackout in India after signing a five-year media rights agreement with Zee Entertainment, bringing Italy’s top-flight football league back to one of the world’s largest sports markets.
The multi-year agreement covers the next five seasons and includes not only Serie A, but also the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana. Fans will be able to watch live matches, highlights and exclusive programming across Zee’s four Unite8 Sports linear channels and the Zee5 streaming platform.
The deal extends beyond India to include Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the Maldives, effectively covering the entire Indian subcontinent except Pakistan.
Zee strengthens its football portfolio
The acquisition marks another major step in Zee Entertainment’s return to the sports broadcasting market after exiting the sector in 2024. Earlier this year, the company secured the rights to the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups, the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, several FIFA youth and futsal competitions, and the Bundesliga under another five-year agreement.
With the addition of Serie A, Zee now holds broadcasting rights to two of Europe’s “Big Five” football leagues while building a football portfolio that includes 39 FIFA competitions through 2034.
Building a football ecosystem
Bavesh Janavlekar, Chief Business Officer of Unite8 Sports, said the agreement reflects Zee’s long-term commitment to football in India.
“Our commitment is to build a robust football ecosystem that brings Indian fans closer to the sport through premium content and a high-quality viewing experience. The addition of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana reflects both the scale and passion of football across the country.”
He added that Serie A’s iconic clubs and world-class talent will strengthen Zee’s football offering, providing fans with a differentiated destination for international football on Zee5 and Unite8 Sports.
Serie A returns to the market
The agreement also ends Serie A’s absence from the Indian market following the collapse of its previous regional media partner, Dubai-based Galaxy Racer, in August 2025.
By securing a long-term distribution partner, Serie A has restored its presence in one of Asia’s fastest-growing football markets while expanding its international media footprint across South Asia.