It was perhaps the first time in India that, until the final stretch, the country did not have an official broadcasting partner for what is arguably the world's biggest sporting event: the FIFA World Cup.
Then came the surprise. Zee Entertainment stepped in and secured the rights, beating competitors including Reliance-backed Jio Hotstar, the broadcaster of the IPL, and Sony Ten Network, home to properties such as the UEFA Champions League, Roland Garros and WWE.
