What Happened to Cricinfo?
Cricinfo, originally founded in 1993, evolved into the world's leading digital cricket platform. After being acquired by ESPN in 2007 and rebranded as ESPNcricinfo, it became part of the JioStar group in November 2024 following a merger of Disney India's assets with Viacom18. In June 2026, the platform reverted to its original name, Cricinfo, continuing its comprehensive coverage of the sport globally.
Quick Answer
Cricinfo, initially known as ESPNcricinfo, has undergone significant ownership changes and a recent rebranding. Founded in 1993, it was acquired by ESPN in 2007. In November 2024, it transitioned to the JioStar group, a joint venture involving Disney India and Reliance Industries' Viacom18. As of June 2026, the platform officially dropped the ESPN branding and is now simply known as Cricinfo, continuing its role as a premier source for cricket news, live scores, and statistics worldwide.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Cricinfo Founded
Simon King launches Cricinfo as a pre-World Wide Web platform for cricket news and scores.
Official World Cup Coverage
Cricinfo becomes the official site for providing scores and live updates for the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
Exceeds 1 Billion Pageviews
Cricinfo records over one billion pageviews for the year, demonstrating its significant growth and popularity.
Acquired by Wisden Group
Wisden Group acquires a majority stake in Cricinfo for an estimated $3 million, merging it with Wisden Online.
Acquired by ESPN
ESPN Inc. acquires Cricinfo from the Wisden Group, rebranding the website as ESPNcricinfo to expand its global sports coverage.
20th Anniversary Celebration
ESPNcricinfo celebrates its 20th anniversary, highlighting its journey and impact on cricket journalism.
Launches The Cricket Monthly
ESPNcricinfo launches 'The Cricket Monthly,' a digital-only cricket magazine.
Launches AskCricinfo
ESPNcricinfo introduces AskCricinfo, a natural language search tool for cricket statistics.
Becomes Part of JioStar Group
ESPNcricinfo becomes part of the JioStar group, a joint venture formed by the merger of Disney India's assets with Viacom18, owned by Reliance Industries.
ESPNcricinfo Awards 2024 Announced
The ESPNcricinfo Awards for the best performers in international cricket for 2024 are announced, recognizing top players like Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma.
Reverts to 'Cricinfo'
The ESPN branding is dropped, and the website officially reverts to its original name, Cricinfo.
T20 World Cup 2026 Coverage
Cricinfo provides extensive live coverage, match details, and news for the T20 World Cup 2026, confirming its continued role as a primary source for major tournaments.
Ongoing International Series Coverage
Cricinfo actively covers ongoing international cricket, including the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 series between Pakistan and England, and Bangladesh vs Australia Test.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Cricinfo began its journey in 1993 as a pioneering online platform for cricket enthusiasts, conceived by Simon King. It quickly established itself as an indispensable resource, offering live scores, news, and a comprehensive statistical database. Its early growth was organic, driven by a passionate community of volunteers, and it became the official site for scores and updates during the 1996 Cricket World Cup. By 2001, the site recorded over one billion pageviews, underscoring its growing global reach.
A significant turning point occurred in 2003 when the Wisden Group acquired a majority stake in Cricinfo. This acquisition provided further resources and integrated Wisden Online's operations. The most impactful change came in June 2007 when ESPN Inc. acquired Cricinfo from the Wisden Group. This strategic move led to its rebranding as ESPNcricinfo, leveraging ESPN's global resources, financial backing, and technological infrastructure to expand its coverage and audience. Under ESPN, the platform launched new features like the annual ESPNcricinfo Awards, CricIQ, and The Cricket Monthly, solidifying its position as a dominant force in cricket journalism and digital content.
The landscape shifted again in November 2024, when ESPNcricinfo became part of the newly formed JioStar group. This occurred as Disney India's assets, which included ESPNcricinfo, merged with Viacom18, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries. This merger positioned Cricinfo within a major Indian media conglomerate, reflecting the immense importance of the South Asian market to cricket. The transition aimed to further integrate the platform into a broader digital ecosystem, potentially enhancing its reach and monetization strategies within the subcontinent and globally.
The most recent development, as of June 2026, saw the platform revert to its original name, 'Cricinfo,' dropping the 'ESPN' prefix. This change signifies a new chapter under the JioStar group, potentially aiming for a more independent brand identity while still benefiting from its parent company's extensive network. Despite the name change, Cricinfo continues its core mission, providing ball-by-ball commentary, in-depth analysis, news, and its renowned StatsGuru database for ongoing international cricket events, including the T20 World Cup 2026 and various Test series. Its estimated annual revenue as of June 2026 is between $15 million and $25 million, with a net worth estimated between $500 million and $1 billion under the broader ESPN Star Sports/Disney umbrella, highlighting its continued value as a premier cricket media asset.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Cricinfo made different choices?