With respect to Indian sports broadcasting, 2023 was a year of sports achievements that had never been equaled before, especially in cricket. This sprint of the year was set off by the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 meeting against Star Sports hitting a historic milestone. It’s just one nine for over 500 million views on television was a sight never seen in the history of the league; pure eyesight. The peak viewpoints were reached at one time by 6.4 crore during the IPL finals in a surge of 2-photo participants, emphasizing the country’s deep interest in cricket.
The phenomenon didn’t just stop at the IPL. It was merely the beginning of a year where cricket reigned supreme on Indian television. The World Test Championship Final shattered records by drawing a colossal reach of 135 Million viewers, including DD, making it the most-watched Test match on television according to BARC data.
The Asia Cup further fueled this viewership frenzy, becoming the most-watched edition in the tournament’s history. With a reach of 275 million on Star Sports and a 34% growth in TVR, the Asia Cup finals set a new benchmark for television ratings.
But the crown jewel of 2023 was the Cricket World Cup. Star Sports outdid itself by recording a TV reach of 518 Million, the highest ever for an ODI World Cup. The final match of the World Cup witnessed a peak concurrency of 13 Crore and rated 154% higher than the previous World Cup final, making it the highest-rated match in World Cup history.
This surge in viewership wasn’t just confined to the standard definition. The HD viewership for IPL 2023 clocked an impressive 101 Million viewers, marking the highest ever HD reach across all seasons with a growth of approximately 4X over the previous year.
The underlying strength of live cricket as a driving force for Pay TV households in India was evident. From 165 Million households during IPL 2022 to a significant leap to 173 million households during the World Cup, the numbers spoke volumes of the sport’s growing dominance.
Remarkably, these record-breaking viewership numbers came at a time when both IPL 2023 and the Cricket World Cup were also streamed for free on digital platforms. This dual availability showcased the massive expanse and unshakeable dominance of cricket viewership in India.
Looking ahead, IPL 2024 is poised to break new grounds and set even higher benchmarks. With the macroeconomic situation showing signs of improvement, industry experts predict a golden opportunity for advertisers. The upcoming megaevent promises not only an unmatched sports viewing experience for viewers but also significant impact and innovation at impactful scale for sports marketing. As the broadcasters gear up to elevate their efforts, IPL 2024 stands on the brink of becoming not just a sports event, but a landmark for cultural phenomenon in India.
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