The crowd went wild, not just in the stadiums but in the digital world, too. An esteemed India-Pakistan cricket showdown stirred a whirlwind in the streaming arena, enabling Disney's Hotstar to regain its lost ground. This high-octane game, steeped in a compelling historical rivalry, accumulated an earth-shattering 35 million concurrent viewers on Hotstar, setting a new global record in on-demand video streaming.
The event was much more than just a cricket match; it was a lifeline for Disney’s Hotstar, which has been grappling with a loss of over 20 million subscribers in the recent past. The record-shattering streaming feat outperformed the fabled 32 million viewership mark established by Viacom18’s JioCinema, backed by Asia’s wealthiest individual, Mukesh Ambani. Interestingly, this historic milestone once again emphasizes cricket's paramount role in crowning streaming sensations in India.
Disney has chosen a strategic path by broadcasting the ICC World Cup cricket events for free to mobile viewers in India. This calculated move is to counter Viacom18's rising popularity, courtesy of its successful bid for the five-year streaming rights for the highly coveted cricket tournament IPL. However, it is not just about winning a contest; it's about winning back the Indian masses.
Expressing his gratitude, Sajith Sivanandan, head of Disney+ Hotstar India, thanked the cricket-loving audience for their ardent support that resulted in breaking earlier global records. He underlined Disney’s commitment to provide a superlative viewing experience as the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup unfolds. The stakes are really high for Disney, not just with the number of audiences glued to the screen but also in terms of finding a befitting buyer for its Indian venture, Star India.
As the cricket fever continues to keep the nation on the edge of its seats, it will be interesting to watch the destiny of Disney’s Indian venture. This cricketing triumph has stirred up substantial interest among several prospective buyers, thanks to the platform's record-breaking streams. From this journey of an adrenaline-fueled cricketing rivalry, Disney's Hotstar has grown into an enticing prospect for buyers - proving that, after all, cricket is not just a game in India - it’s much more!