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Disney's video streaming service, Disney+ Hotstar, set a new global live-streaming viewership record on November 19 during the...
Digital Desk: Disney's video streaming service, Disney+ Hotstar, set a new global live-streaming viewership record on November 19 during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia. Although India faced a defeat in the final, the streaming platform saw an unprecedented 5.9 crore concurrent viewers, surpassing the previous record of 5.3 crore set during India vs. New Zealand semi-final match on November 15.
Over the course of the Men's ICC World Cup 2023 tournament, Disney+ Hotstar has consistently broken records, solidifying its position as the go-to platform for live sports streaming. The India vs. Pakistan group stage match alone recorded a remarkable viewership of 3.5 crore on the app.
Disney Star, which also broadcasted the final match live on the Star Sports network, awaits viewership data from the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), expected to be released a week later. Despite the television broadcast, Disney+ Hotstar's digital dominance and the surge in online viewership underline the changing landscape of sports consumption.
Sajith Sivanandan, Head of Disney+ Hotstar India, expressed his delight at the remarkable achievement, stating, “The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 will be remembered not just for its sporting excellence but for the incredible passion it ignited among fans. Congratulations to both Australia and India on an incredible tournament, and a heartfelt thank you to our viewers, whose passionate support has driven us to continuously elevate the live sports streaming experience."
Disney Star secured exclusive broadcast and media rights for both linear and digital platforms for the Men's ICC World Cup 2023, making it the primary destination for cricket enthusiasts across the country. Sivanandan highlighted that the 5.9 crore concurrent viewership during the final surpassed all previous peak concurrency records set prior to the tournament. Before this achievement, the final match of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) between the Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans recorded 3.2 crore concurrent viewers.
Amidst the streaming success, reports earlier this year suggested that Disney was exploring the possibility of selling its India streaming and television business. Preliminary talks were reportedly held with Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, followed by discussions involving a potential sale or joint venture partnership with the private equity firm Blackstone.
In a bid to make the cricketing spectacle even more accessible, leading multiplex operator PVR INOX screened the India-Australia final match at 150 theaters across 60 locations, spanning major metropolises and Tier-1, 2, and 3 cities. The move drew over 70,000 cricket enthusiasts to theaters, resulting in an impressive 70 percent occupancy rate.
As the curtains close on the Men's ICC World Cup 2023, the convergence of digital streaming, traditional television broadcasts, and cinematic experiences highlights the evolving dynamics of sports consumption in India. Disney+ Hotstar's record-breaking viewership numbers underscore the platform's ability to capture the attention and passion of cricket fans nationwide, setting a new benchmark for live sports streaming.
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