Let us try to find out why is this the case in a country where football is consistently growing interest among the young generation – 
 

Consolidation reduces competition

The merger of Star India and Viacom18 has dramatically reduced competition, leaving fewer serious bidders. Sony Sports, Eurosport, and FanCode have also shown limited appetite for high-value sports rights, citing profitability concerns and strategic priorities. Even Zee Entertainment, exploring sports channels, is yet to enter high-value deals.

Cricket’s dominance and budget constraints

Unfavourable match timings

FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be held across the US, Canada, and Mexico, meaning games will air late at night or early morning in India. These inconvenient timings are expected to lower live viewership, further diminishing ad revenue potential.

Football’s fragmented audience

While football is India’s second-most popular sport with over 300 million fans, the viewership is highly concentrated in metros and regions like Kerala, Goa, and the Northeast. This fragmented audience makes it harder to attract mass-market advertising.

Declining rights values across leagues

The hesitation is part of a broader trend. Premier League media rights have fallen from $145 million (2013-16) to $65 million (2025–28). Similarly, Indian Super League (ISL) rights dropped from Rs 275 crore to Rs 8.62 crore in one season. Bundesliga, La Liga, and UEFA competitions have also seen declining valuations in India.

Structural changes in India’s sports media market, the dominance of cricket, fragmented football viewership, limited ad inventory, and unfavorable match timings together explain why broadcasters remain cautious about investing in FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2030 media rights. Despite football’s popularity, these factors make it a high-risk proposition for Indian buyers.

Manchester City will take on Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals after beating Liverpool 4-0 last weekend.

Manchester City will return to Wembley Stadium to take on Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday, April 25. The game will kick off at 5.15pm with the match available on BBC One and TNT Sports 1. City reached the last-four last weekend when they beat Liverpool 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

Erling Haaland scored the opener on 39 minutes from the penalty spot before adding a second shortly before half-time. Antoine Semenyo added a third shortly after the break with Haaland completing his hat-trick just before the hour mark.

The victory ensured City would be back at Wembley just five weeks after beating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final. Mikel Arteta’s side were expected to reach the semi-finals when they travelled to Championship club Southampton.

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However, the Saints pulled off a major shock to beat the Gunners 2-1 with former City youth player Shea Charles scoring the winner five minutes from time. Should City beat Southampton, they will face either Chelsea or Leeds in the final on Saturday, May 16. Their semi-final will be played on Sunday, April 26, at 3pm.

Were City to win the FA Cup, they would complete a domestic double this season. Pep Guardiola’s side also have the chance to make it a treble if they can win the Premier League.

The Justice Department reportedly opened an investigation into the NFL on Thursday over whether the league used anticompetitive tactics against fans.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the investigation.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Justice Department and the NFL for comment.

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a press conference after Super Bowl LX at Moscone Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2026. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire)

The reported investigation comes as Trump administration officials and lawmakers have warned about revisiting the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. The law allows the NFL to negotiate league-wide TV deals without violating U.S. antitrust rules, provided it meets certain conditions, including protecting customer access.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, addressed the issue in a letter to the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission. He requested a review of the league’s antitrust exemption status.

Meanwhile, surging streaming prices and sky-high ticket costs have combined to leave the average American NFL fan boxed out of watching their beloved game altogether or making it impossible to find.

A Fox News poll in March indicated that 72% of sports fans think major sporting events should stay free on broadcast TV, amid reports that the NFL is considering allowing teams to sell the rights to preseason games to streaming services.

NFL FANS’ 2025 BILLS COME UNDER FOCUS AS FCC PROBES THE RISE OF SPORTS STREAMING SERVICES

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said on “Fox & Friends” last month that officials are reviewing thousands of comments on whether a significant share of sports should remain free on broadcast television.

The Amazon Prime Video Thursday Night Football logo appears on a television camera during the second half of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 29, 2024. (Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)

Carr said the FCC is looking into whether sports leagues should continue to benefit from a special antitrust exemption, and that public comments solicited on the matter largely support keeping games more accessible.

“We actually got thousands and thousands of comments. It was a big number for the FCC… The vast majority so far, based on an initial assessment, support keeping a significant portion of these sports games on free, over-the-air broadcast TV,” Carr said.

FORMER NFL STARS WEIGH PROS AND CONS OF LEAGUE’S GLOBAL EXPANSION, STREAMING GAMES

“So, we’ll be looking at it. There could be actions at other portions of the government, and Congress as well, if these sports leagues continue to push this issue.”

Carr made his feelings clear, stating he thinks the experience of finding a game to watch has become frustrating and costly.

“You effectively have to have a computer science degree to decipher this,” he said, adding that, historically, broadcast TV and sports leagues have had a mutually beneficial relationship that allowed leagues to grow while supporting local news.

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“We’re at a tipping point where these leagues can push it so far, putting games behind paywalls, that they undermine their ability to claim that antitrust exemption.”

NFL fans themselves have also spoken out about the league’s streaming strategy.

OutKick’s Davey Hudson took to the streets of Nashville and New York City last month to talk to aggrieved football fans.

“I think it’s frustrating when you just want to watch a game, and you have to figure out what app it’s on. And then you’re paying for multiple apps all the time,” one fan said.

Another fan was blunt, calling the current system of watching games “f—ing stupid.”

“Well, it’s f—ing stupid, you have to get five different platforms to watch all of the games that you want to, and still you have to pay on top. It’s ridiculous at this point,” the fan said.

One fan called it a “pain in the a–” to keep track of where and when the games are being streamed.

A different fan called it a “money grab,” citing Netflix as the latest streaming service the NFL brought in to start broadcasting its games.

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NFL fans who want access to every game need to purchase YouTube TV for “NFL Sunday Ticket,” in addition to the costly subscriptions for all the streaming services the NFL broadcasts on. Those streaming services are Amazon Prime, Peacock and Netflix. The combination of those respective services is over $1,500 a year, and that doesn’t include the fees that come with basic cable packages or high-speed Wi-Fi that is needed to accommodate the platforms.

Fox News’ Ryan Canfield contributed to this report.

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Amazake keeps the South Australian Derby as his primary goal with an important appearance set for Caulfield.

On Saturday, the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) provides the launchpad toward the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville come May 2.

Dad And Dave and Awesome Artist, fellow Ciaron Maher charges, will share the Saturday bill with Amazake.

National assistant trainer Jack Turnbull from the Maher team indicated Dad And Dave will look to stake his claim as a Derby hopeful during Saturday’s event, whereas Awesome Artist might proceed to the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on April 25.

With eight starts still seeking a first win, Amazake boasts impressive staying qualities and is far more filled out than during his spring efforts.

The gelding earned third place in the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield en route to a distant finish in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington, something Turnbull admitted was too soon.

“We gave him a crack because he ran a place in the Norman Robinson, but he was up against Observer at that stage who was a cut above,” Turnbull said.

“Time has been his friend and he’s a fuller horse now and more mature.

“I think he’ll be fine now, so we’ll give him his chance, so he’ll run on Saturday and then onto the Derby in South Australia.

“He’s still a maiden, which you wouldn’t believe, but he’s won good prize money and has been running in good form races and only getting beaten a couple of lengths, with excuses.

“He’s in good shape.”

Coming off the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on March 21, Amazake and Dad And Dave placed fourth and ninth.

In Tasmania over summer, Dad ‘N’ Dave claimed the Tasmanian Derby (2200m) in February.

“If he doesn’t run to form, we’ll probably turn him out,” Turnbull said.

“He’s done the whole Tasmania thing, and he would want to show us that he warrants a trip for the Derby.

“Awesome Artist is down here after winning last time and maybe heading to the St Leger.”

Racing fans should explore betting sites for the best racing betting markets on the betting sites ahead of the South Australian Derby.

The newly published The UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2026 shows penetration has reached a remarkable 18 per cent of over-16s, with a record 12.2 million members.

Released this morning at an event in London, this is the second report into the UK fitness sector commissioned by UK Active, following last year’s debut. It is produced in collaboration with Sport England and 4Global, with analysis from Grant Thornton UK.

The data represents a sample coverage of 74 per cent of private operators, 85 per cent of public operators and 88 per cent of independent operators. 

The headline stats are impressive: total income has reached £6.5 billion, up from £5.7 billion in 2024.

Visits to clubs have risen by 10 per cent since 2024 – reaching 679 million and showing continued growth in demand from people of all ages.

The sector is generating £7.5 billion in attributable social value through health and fitness, measured in terms of life satisfaction and reduced health conditions.

The total number of clubs has reached 5,842 – an increase of 4.2 per cent since 2024.

Outgoing CEO of UK Active, Huw Edwards, says: “Today’s report provides clear evidence that the UK is home to one of the strongest health and fitness sectors in the world and a much-needed success story for UK plc.

“Consumer demand for the services provided by gyms, pools and leisure centres is growing year-on-year, and our members are rising to the challenge by investing in new clubs and services.

“The most exciting thing is the untapped potential to get millions more people active if the sector gets the right support from the government to remove the barriers to growth and help us reach more communities.”

Utku Toprakseven, chief development officer, at 4Global, says: “This year’s analysis highlights a maturing sector, where operators are generating more value per member through more frequent usage, diversified offers and stronger alignment with consumer needs. At the same time, the data reinforces the critical role of the sector in supporting national health outcomes, with £7.5 billion of social value being generated through sustained participation.”

Rob Turner, partner, consulting, at Grant Thornton UK, says: “This sector is a key contributor to both the UK economy and the nation’s health. The growth in gym numbers and their rising popularity strongly support the Government’s Prevention Agenda and will, in turn, ease pressure on the NHS. 

“Additionally, fitness spaces are also evolving into key social hubs, with wellness becoming a core part of personal identity, and more than just exercise. For public and private investors alike, this is a high‑growth market with significant long‑term potential.”

The UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2026 is sponsored by headline partners BLKBOX, and Matrix, and contributing partners Precor and Technogym.

Sign up for a free digital subscription to HCM to see our feature on the report in the next issue. 

UK Active members can download the report from its website.

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants LIVE Updates, IPL 2026: Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi have stabilised Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) innings after the early dismissal of Finn Allen against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their crucial IPL 2026 clash in Kolkata on Thursday. KKR have reached 89/1 after 9 overs, with Rahane and Raghuvanshi nearing half-centuries. LSG pacer Mohammed Shami bowled a terrific first over, after which Prince Yadav took the first wicket. KKR are desperate to notch up their first win of the season after getting off to their worst start in IPL history. (LIVE SCORECARD)

KKR playing XI: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Finn Allen, Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk), Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine, Navdeep Saini, Kartik Tyagi.

LSG playing XI: Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh Pant (c/wk), Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, Manimaran Siddharth, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Shami, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav.

KKR vs LSG LIVE Score | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants, IPL 2026 LIVE Updates, straight from Eden Gardens, Kolkata:

Cameron Green (BCCI Photo)

NEW DELHI: The focus ahead of the IPL 2026 clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has been on whether Cameron Green will return to bowling. During the warm-up ahead of the match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday, the all-rounder was seen bowling in the nets, raising hopes that he might soon resume full duties after missing out with the ball in earlier matches.KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane made it clear that Green’s bowling is key to improving the team combination.