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Tag: Siddharth Sharma

  • Women’s World Cup hits record viewership highs

    Women’s World Cup hits record viewership highs

    MUMBAI: Cricket fever has turned into a full-blown phenomenon as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025 smashes viewership records faster than a boundary off a power hitter’s bat.

    Over 60 million viewers have already tuned in to the first 13 matches across Jiohotstar and Star Sports Network, a staggering five times more than the previous edition. Watch-time has also soared 12-fold to a jaw-dropping 7 billion minutes, proving that women’s cricket isn’t just winning hearts, it’s ruling screens.

    The India vs Pakistan showdown on 5 October bowled the world over, becoming the most-watched women’s international cricket match in history with a reach of 28.4 million and 1.87 billion minutes watched. The India vs Australia clash wasn’t far behind, hitting a record 4.8 million peak concurrent viewers on Jiohotstar, the highest ever for women’s cricket.

    Television audiences have been equally captivated. The India–Pakistan league game has become the highest-rated in Women’s ODI World Cup history, while the first 11 matches together reached 72 million viewers, marking a 166 per cent leap from the last tournament. Viewing minutes jumped 327 per cent to 6.3 billion, underscoring the growing passion for the women’s game.

    “The incredible viewership for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025 is a true testament to the growing interest in women’s sports in India,” said Jiostar head of viewership and monetisation initiatives – sports Siddharth Sharma. “Fans are embracing women’s sports like never before, and at Jiostar, we’re proud to be the platform powering this movement.”

    Much of the success stems from a unified marketing push by the ICC and Jiostar, supported by the BCCI. The ICC’s global ‘Will to Win’ campaign and Jiostar’s emotionally charged ‘Jersey wahi toh jazbaa wahi’ have together sparked a national conversation and brought fans closer to the women in blue.

    The matches are being broadcast in five languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, across Jiohotstar and Star Sports channels, with an Indian sign language feed introduced for the first time to make the game more inclusive.

     

  • JioStar’s ‘jersey wahi toh jazba wahi’ breaks gender norms, champions ‘Women in Blue’

    JioStar’s ‘jersey wahi toh jazba wahi’ breaks gender norms, champions ‘Women in Blue’

    MUMBAI: JioStar’s new women’s WC ’25 campaign film opens with the protagonist asking his partner a slightly awkward question, “But is it necessary to wear the women’s jersey?” after she suggests he put one on for a match screening at a friend’s place. His partner, exasperated by the lingering stigma, looks on in dismay, pitying the shame that still surrounds supporting women in cricket. Undeterred, he steps out the door wearing the jersey, hiding it beneath a jacket.

    On his way, he notices fellow Indians proudly donning women cricketers’ jerseys, from colleagues to even the office lift operator, who delivers the knockout line, “Virat khelein ya Smriti, jeetega toh India hi na” (whether it’s Virat or Smriti, India will win anyway). The moment sparks pride as the protagonist ditches the jacket and walks into the office with his Smriti Mandhana jersey proudly on display.

    With the ICC women’s cricket world cup India 2025 just around the corner, JioStar’s “Jersey Wahi Toh Jazba Wahi” (conceptualised by Bubblewrap Films) celebrates the unifying power of the India jersey. It sends a clear message: no gender norms can diminish the pride of wearing blue, and the joy of support far outweighs the question, “Who watches women’s cricket anyway?”  

    JioStar, head of viewership and monetisation initiative – sports, Siddharth Sharma said, “This tournament is more than cricket. It is about rewriting history and inspiring a generation. Our endeavour is to channel this moment into a campaign that unites the country, reminding fans to take equal pride in every Indian jersey.”

    The ICC women’s cricket world cup 2025, hosted across India and Sri Lanka, kicks off on 30 September in Guwahati with India facing co-host Sri Lanka. With matches lined up against Pakistan, Australia, England and others, the women in blue are chasing a trophy that has long eluded them.

    With the roar of home crowds and the momentum of this campaign, JioStar aims to capture a cultural shift: cricket pride is not about gender, it is about the jersey and every fan who wears it.

  • BGMS levels up with Rs 1.5 crore prize and biggest format shake-up yet

    BGMS levels up with Rs 1.5 crore prize and biggest format shake-up yet

    MUMBAI: Drop in, squad up, and watch the leaderboard go wild Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) is back with a bang. Nodwin Gaming’s flagship tournament, co-powered by Oneplus and Android, returns for Season 4 from 18 August to 14 September, with matches airing live daily on Star Sports Khel and JioStar between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. With a prize pool of Rs 1.5 crore and a bold new dual-tier structure, this year’s edition promises to be the most inclusive yet.

    For the first time, viewers will get a multi-cam broadcast, one main stream, a dedicated map cam, plus four top-team cams that spotlight key players. From next week, player cams will zoom in on rising stars, giving fans an intimate look at gameplay. On the competition front, 24 pro teams will slug it out in the BGMS Masters Series, while another 24 squads including four all-women line-ups battle in the Challenger Series. The top four Challenger squads will advance to the playoffs, joining the lower-ranked Masters teams in a fight to secure one of 16 coveted semifinal slots.

    “BGMS has always been more than a tournament; it’s a cultural phenomenon… From grassroots to greatness, from campus halls to national TV. This is BGMS like you’ve never seen before,” said Nodwin Gaming co-founder & MD, Akshat Rathee welcoming partners OnePlus, Android, TVS and Bisleri onboard.  

    Adding to the thrill are returning mechanics like the Powerplay (double finish points in the first zone), Impact Player (weekend finish points doubled for one chosen star), and the Bounty System (10 bonus points for eliminating the daily target team from 21 August to 7 September). These features, paired with back-to-back LAN events running from noon to 8:00 PM, ensure fans get wall-to-wall action both on ground and on screen.

    “BGMS continues to break new ground in Indian esports, and we at JioStar are proud to bring this cultural movement to screens across the country,” added JioStar head of audience engagement and viewership and monetization initiatives Siddharth Sharma. “The expanded format, diverse participation and high-quality gameplay are exactly the kind of dynamic, youth-driven content we aim to champion.”  

    Season 3 of BGMS pulled in 145.5 million views across platforms, making it India’s most-watched esports tournament. With Season 4 airing on both television and JioStar for the first time, and inclusivity at its heart, BGMS is no longer just an esports league, it’s a cultural festival where campus hopefuls, pro gamers, and even all-women squads share the same battleground.

  • Test cricket’s digital triumph defies the doomsayers

    Test cricket’s digital triumph defies the doomsayers

    MUMBAI: Test cricket may be fighting for its future, but the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has delivered a resounding riposte to the sceptics. More than 170 million viewers logged onto JioHotstar during the five-match series between India and England—the highest-ever reach for a Test series on digital platforms.

    The numbers tell a compelling story. A staggering 65 billion minutes of watch time were clocked up as the series unfolded from 20 June  to 4 August. The climactic fifth day at The Oval alone drew a peak of 13 million concurrent viewers, setting a new record for online Test match streaming.

    All five matches went the distance, with nail-biting finishes and dramatic plot twists keeping audiences glued to their screens. Even when rain curtailed play on the Sunday at The Oval, with England needing just 35 runs and India four wickets, thousands returned on Monday morning for what many knew might be only an hour’s play.

    “The extraordinary response reinforced Test cricket’s ability to forge compelling narratives in almost every session,” said JioStar head of content for sports Siddharth Sharma. The platform served coverage in five languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.

    Yet this triumph highlights cricket’s central paradox. Whilst series between the sport’s “Big Three”—England, India and Australia—continue to thrive, concerns persist about Test cricket’s inclusivity for lower-ranked nations. The format’s commercial success remains concentrated among a privileged few.

    These worries have prompted the ICC to form an eight-member working group, led by chief executive Sanjog Gupta, to assess a proposed two-tier World Test Championship. England’s cricket board opposes the plan, fearing relegation could cost them lucrative clashes with Australia or India.

    The series marked India’s opening gambit in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, ending in a 2-2 draw after the final session. Fans also devoured Follow the Blues, a behind-the-scenes series, and When India Challenged the Crown, which revisited India’s Test legacy in England.

    JioStar now turns its attention to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, beginning 30 September.

  • GEPL goes prime time: JioStar to air Season 2 of e-Cricket league with 34 knockout clashes

    GEPL goes prime time: JioStar to air Season 2 of e-Cricket league with 34 knockout clashes

    MUMBAI: Cricket, consoles and crores: JetSynthesys is bowling a bouncer into India’s primetime schedule. The company announced that season two of its Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL) will air live on JioStar’s linear and OTT platforms. For the first time ever, the esports league will hit national television, blending the thrill of gaming with the theatrics of traditional sport.

    GEPL Season 2 promises an adrenaline spike with 34 high-octane matches slated from 27 April to 2 May. The broadcast window runs 11 am to 8 pm daily, across Star Sports and JioHotstar. In this edition, the prize pool jumps to Rs 3.05 crore – a bump up from Rs 2.51 crore in the previous season. Player interest has surged as well, with registration numbers skyrocketing from two lakh to 9.1 lakh.

    Powered by Real Cricket™ and featuring a team-based format, the league will stage its matches in Bengaluru. According to organisers, this year marks a watershed moment in India’s esports evolution.

    “GEPL is a high-energy league that mirrors the scale and professionalism of traditional sports. Our partnership with JioStar is a milestone; cementing our place on India’s biggest broadcast stage,” said JetSynthesys founder & CEO Rajan Navani.

    CEO & league commissioner Rohit Potphode added, “With Season 2, we’ve sharpened our vision for GEPL that enables player growth, team development, and fan engagement at scale. Our presence on JioStar, across both streaming and TV, is strategic in expanding our reach and delivering a premier sports entertainment experience to millions of Indians.”

    JioStar head of content – sports Siddharth Sharma remarked, “GEPL is a perfect example of innovation in sport, and we are committed to help it reach its full potential.”

    As esports flexes its muscle on mainstream platforms, GEPL’s arrival on national broadcast is a sign of the times – a spectacle merging cricket’s legacy with the future of competitive play.

  • Airtel and Blinkit team up for 10-minute SIM delivery, KYC in your home

    Airtel and Blinkit team up for 10-minute SIM delivery, KYC in your home

    MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel and Blinkit have cooked up a speedy new service, delivering SIM cards to customers’ doorsteps in a mere 10 minutes. This ground breaking partnership, a first for any Indian telco, is now live in 16 cities, promising to get customers  connected quicker than a rabbit out of a hat.

    “Simplifying customer lives is central to everything we do at Airtel.Today we are thrilled to partner with Blinkit for 10-minute SIM card delivery to customers’ homes across 16 cities and in due course of time we plan to expand this partnership to additional cities.” declared Airtel CEO Siddharth Sharma, CEO – connected homes and director of marketing, Airtel.

    For a paltry Rs 49 convenience fee, customers can choose between prepaid or post paid plans, or even port their existing number to Airtel. Once the SIM arrives, a quick Aadhaar-based KYC process gets them up and running, all from the comfort of their own homes.

    “To save customers time and hassle, we’ve collaborated with Airtel to deliver SIM cards directly to customers in select cities, with delivery in just 10 minutes. Blinkit takes care of the delivery, while Airtel makes it easy for customers to complete self-KYC, activate their SIM, and choose between prepaid or post paid plans. Customers can also opt for number portability, all at their convenience,” said Blinkit founder & CEO Albinder Dhindsa.”No more queuing in shops, no more waiting around. We deliver the SIM, and Airtel handles the self-KYC. It’s a win-win.”

    The service is currently available in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, with plans to expand further. And if customers get stuck, Airtel’s help centre is just a tap away on the Airtel Thanks App, or a quick call to the support line. But, they better be quick, the SIM needs to be activated within 15 days.

  • Canon shoots its shot with ‘Deep Dive’ masterclass for budding storytellers

    Canon shoots its shot with ‘Deep Dive’ masterclass for budding storytellers

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera, level up! Canon India is stepping out from behind the camera and into the classroom with Deep Dive, an ambitious, first-of-its-kind masterclass series designed to empower the next wave of photographers, videographers, and filmmakers. But don’t expect a slideshow and a swag bag. This is Canon going full throttle into the creator economy lens-first.

    Launched in collaboration with IFP, a global creator-first community, Deep Dive is Canon’s answer to an evolving creative landscape where storytellers need more than just inspiration. They need a complete toolkit: creative, technical, and professional. And that’s exactly what this masterclass promises a crash course in the entire visual workflow, from pre-shoot vision to post-production precision.

    But what really gives Deep Dive its edge is its who’s who of mentors. Canon’s North Star Alliance has brought together industry powerhouses like Ravi K Chandran, Santosh Sivan, Anand Rathi, Sudeep Chatterjee, G Venket, and Siddharth Sharma names that carry weight not just in Indian cinema, but across international storytelling circles. Their mission? To share more than tips to pass on a legacy of craftsmanship in a world increasingly reliant on speed and surface.

    The series aims to do away with the ‘point and shoot’ mindset and usher in a ‘plan and produce’ approach. Participants won’t just fiddle with Canon’s latest tech they’ll deep-dive into real-world workflows, exploring everything from camera setup and lighting design to colour grading, audio layering and final delivery. With Canon’s partners Aperture, Eizo, and Sennheiser backing the experience, there’s no corner of the production puzzle left untouched.

    Each session is designed as a full-fledged, city-specific experiential journey, with experts from the wedding, cinema, and fashion industries leading live demonstrations. In Gurgaon, the first city on the map, Canon ambassador Siddharth Sharma kick-started the series with a session that blended insight with intensity and left participants clamouring for more.

    Canon India president and CEO Toshiaki Nomura said, “At Canon, we deeply value creators and believe in their limitless creative potential. We recognize that to truly excel, creators need more than just inspiration—they need the right knowledge, cutting-edge technology, and hands-on experience to push their boundaries. They must evolve beyond being mere visual storytellers to mastering the entire workflow, from capturing the perfect shot to delivering a polished final product. With Deep Dive, Canon is proud to create an experiential platform where young, talented filmmakers and photographers can gain real-world expertise, engage with industry leaders, and experience the transformative power of Canon’s advanced imaging technology. Through initiatives like these, Canon is proud to be facilitating the growth of the entire ecosystem, empowering the next generation of creative visionaries.”

    And it’s not just about upping individual skills Canon sees Deep Dive as part of a broader mission to nurture and elevate India’s creator ecosystem. It’s a signal that the brand isn’t just focused on selling cameras, but on investing in what comes after the shutter clicks: storytelling, innovation, and community.

    In a world flooded with content, standing out requires more than just talent, it needs technique, tools, and trust in one’s creative voice. Deep Dive is Canon’s attempt to offer all three, wrapped in a format that’s immersive, inspiring and packed with substance.

    With more cities queued up and interest already peaking, Deep Dive is shaping up to be more than just a masterclass. It’s a movement. And for the creators ready to stop shooting in the dark and start crafting with intention, Canon just lit the way.

  • Airtel beams entertainment into 2000 cities with mega IPTV splash

    Airtel beams entertainment into 2000 cities with mega IPTV splash

    MUMBAI:  Bharti Airtel has fired a broadside into India’s home entertainment market, launching IPTV services that promise to turn living rooms into multimedia playgrounds across 2,000 cities.

    The telecom giant’s latest offering bundles 29 streaming apps — including Netflix, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime — with 350 television channels, all riding on Airtel’s high-speed Wi-Fi networks.

    Chief of connected homes Siddharth Sharma  declared the launch as “a new era in home entertainment where cutting-edge technology seamlessly blends traditional linear TV with streaming”.

    The telco has drawn up a handful of packages for the IPTV service based on the broadband speed and number of apps. The following are the plans:  
    * Rs 699 (40 Mbps, 26 apps)
    * Rs. 899 100 Mbps 26 Streaming Apps 350 TV Channels
    * Rs. 1099 200 Mbps 28 Streaming Apps including Apple TV+, Amazon
    Prime 350 TV Channels 
    * Rs. 1599 300 Mbps 29 Streaming Apps including Netflix, Apple TV+,
             Amazon Prime 350 TV Channels* Rs 3,999 (1 Gbps, 29 apps)
    * Introductory sweetener: 30 days free service

    Customers can activate services through Airtel’s website or stores. Existing Wi-Fi subscribers can upgrade via the Airtel Thanks App.

  • Airtel appoints new director of marketing & connected homes CEO

    Airtel appoints new director of marketing & connected homes CEO

    MUMBAI:  Bharti Airtel has appointed Siddharth Sharma as director of marketing and CEO of connected homes. Sharma, who assumed the dual role in December 2024, brings nearly two decades of experience in the telecommunications and aviation sectors.

    In his role as director of marketing (CMO), he will spearhead customer-led growth strategy, marketing initiatives, product innovation, brand management, and corporate communications across Airtel’s diverse portfolio. His remit encompasses mobile, broadband, TV, enterprise, and digital services for both B2C and B2B segments.

    Simultaneously, as CEO of connected homes, Sharma will lead what is currently the fastest-growing category in the telecom sector, with full profit and loss accountability. He will oversee strategy development and execution, operational excellence, and innovation to scale the business, whilst managing cross-functional teams across technology, product, and go-to-market initiatives.

    Prior to his current appointment, Sharma served as CEO of Airtel’s DTH Business from October 2023 to December 2024, where he led Airtel Digital TV with full P&L responsibility. He previously held the position of chief marketing officer at Airtel from November 2022 to October 2023.

    His  international experience includes a three-year stint at Singtel in Singapore, where he served as head of mobile marketing & analytics from 2016 to 2019. During his tenure, he managed a P&L exceeding £1.2 billion and led a team of over 75 professionals, including nine directors.

    His achievements at Singtel included launching GOMO, a digital-only brand, and establishing a world-class data and intelligence practice.

    His career history also includes various leadership positions at Airtel between 2008 and 2016, including senior vice president of marketing and head of post-paid Business. Sharma began his career in the aviation sector with Jet Airways, before moving to BPL Mobile, where he served as manager of corporate sales.

    The appointment comes as Airtel continues to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving telecommunications market, with a particular focus on connected homes and digital services. Industry analysts view this dual appointment as a strategic move to integrate marketing excellence with operational leadership in one of the company’s fastest-growing segments.

  • JioStar hits it out of the park with planned Champions Trophy 2025 coverage

    JioStar hits it out of the park with planned Champions Trophy 2025 coverage

    MUMBAI: The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 is set for a return, and JioStar Network is pulling out all the stops to deliver an unparalleled viewing experience. From 19 February 2025, cricket fans will witness the world’s top eight teams battle it out with cutting-edge broadcast innovations across television and digital platforms.

    JioHotStar will be  offering live streaming in 16 feeds across nine languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, Haryanvi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. This marks the first-ever ICC tournament to be streamed at such a scale, ensuring cricket fans across India can enjoy the action in their preferred language. Additionally, four multi-cam feeds on JioHotstar will provide a fresh perspective on the high-voltage encounters.

    timetable

    On TV, JioStar Network will offer extensive coverage across Star Sports and Sports18 channels, delivering commentary in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. Indian Sign Language feed and Audio Descriptive Commentary will also return on JioHotstar, making the tournament more accessible and inclusive for all fans.

    JioStar head of content–sports Siddharth Sharma said, “The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 will be presented with an unprecedented range of viewing options. Our expansive linear television network and dominant digital presence will bring cricket deeper, wider, and in a more immersive way than ever before. Every cricket fan, regardless of language or accessibility preference, will have a front-row seat to the action.”

    A galaxy of cricketing legends will lend their expertise to JioStar’s coverage, making every match an engaging experience. English commentary will be helmed by Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, Nasser Hussain, Matthew Hayden, Ian Bishop, Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja, Simon Doull, Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock, and Aaron Finch.

    The Hindi panel includes Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Waqar Younis, Sanjay Manjrekar, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, Mohammad Kaif, Piyush Chawla, Sanjay Bangar, Aakash Chopra, and Deep Dasgupta.

    For regional language coverage, renowned names such as Hanuma Vihari, Venkatesh Prasad, Kedar Jadhav, and Shreevats Goswami will add flavour to the commentary, ensuring fans across India get expert analysis in their native tongue.

    The tournament kicks off on 19 February 2025 with Pakistan facing New Zealand in the opener. India, led by Rohit Sharma, begins its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, before the much-anticipated India-Pakistan showdown on 23 February 2025. The final is slated for 9 March 2025.

    (Picture courtesy ICC)