Tag: TATA IPL

Aamir Khan swaps silver screen for cricket commentary box in IPL playoffs and final

MUMBAI: Mumbai’s cricket fever just got a Hindi cinema twist. Aamir Khan, the thinking man’s action hero, is ditching his director’s chair for the commentary box as JioStar unveiled its star-studded lineup for the Tata IPL playoff and final on 1 June and 3 June respectively.

The Lagaan legend, whose cricket credentials go beyond mere acting, donned the headset alongside seasoned commentators for Qualifier 2 and will also do so for the final showdown. Khan will join the pre-show festivities on Star Sports and JioHotstar with Genelia D’Souza and the cast of his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par, promising viewers a heady cocktail of cinema and cricket on 3 June.

But this isn’t just celebrity window-dressing. Khan plans to roll up his sleeves, dissect match strategies, make bold predictions, and—true to form—inject his trademark perfectionism into play-by-play analysis. The actor-turned-pundit will share the mic with JioStar’s panel of former IPL champions, creating what promises to be television gold.

“Nothing matches the energy and stakes of the Tata IPL playoffs and I’m quite excited to be at JioStar’s studios for these crucial playoff games,” Khan said. “Personally, I think both matches are going to be a cracker considering the teams still in contention, and I’m looking forward to commentating off the field.”

The coverage began from 29 May through 3 June, with Khan’s commentary debut bookending the tournament’s climactic weekend. Cricket purists and Hindi cinema buffs alike can catch the action exclusively on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar.

If Khan brings half the intensity he showed in Dangal to the commentary box, viewers are in for a treat that’s equal parts sporting spectacle and entertainment extravaganza.

June 1, 2025
IPL 2025 suspended indefinitely

MUMBAI: The news could not have come at a worse time for JioStar. Just as the Indian Premier League 2025 – the IPL – world’s richest cricket league was beginning to gather momentum during the playoffs and attracting a slew of new advertisers, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) a short while ago announced that it was calling it off – indefinitely. This is courtesy the conflict between India and Pakistan which has escalated and attained war like proportions.

The BCCI members had long consultations this morning before finally taking the decision to indefinitely suspend it. Most of the cricketers playing in the league had expressed their reservations about their safety in the midst of the Indo-Pak tensions.

JioStar leased a statement regarding the goverment’s decision stating, We, at JioStar, whole heartedly support the BCCI’s decision to suspend TATA IPL 2025 and stand firmly committed to prioritize national interest over all other considerations. At this time, we must stand united with our country, support the government and our armed forces, and extend solidarity & support to the civilians affected. We will work with the BCCI to bring back the tournament at an appropriate time. JioStar will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the transition is managed in a seamless manner and everyone involved in the tournament broadcast returns home safely.

It may be recalled that last evening’s match between between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala on was cancelled after 10.1 overs of play in the first half following air raid alerts in neighbouring Indian cities of Jammu and Pathankot.

How this will impact and how BCCI will work with the official broadcaster JioStar and streaming partner JioHotstar will become clearer in the coming days. Right now the focus is on the developing conflict between the two nations.

May 9, 2025
JioStar launches ‘Yahaan Sab Possible Hai’ campaign for Tata IPL 2025, cricket icons take centre stage

MUMBAI: India’s cricket carnival is back with a bang as JioStar has unveiled its sizzling new campaign for the eighteenth edition of the Tata IPL. The official broadcast partner is pulling out all stops with its provocative new tagline ‘Yahaan Sab Possible Hai,’ promising fans a roller coaster of cricketing drama.

The campaign has hit the ground running with a star-studded lineup featuring the who’s who of Indian cricket. From Chennai’s evergreen mastermind MS Dhoni to Mumbai’s beloved Rohit Sharma, the advertisements have packed more star power than a galaxy.

“At JioStar, we believe in limitless possibilities,” said JioStar marketing head sports Vikram Passi, clearly bowled over by his own creation. “‘Yahaan Sab Possible Hai’ isn’t just a campaign — it’s a tribute to the passion, energy, and dreams that define this tournament. For 18 years, it’s been more than just cricket; it’s been a cultural force, uniting millions and bringing the nation to a standstill. This season, our campaign reflects this reality, ensuring every viewer — wherever they are — feels the power of what’s possible.”

The network has already unleashed three films that have set tongues wagging. ‘Goat vs Yoat’ pits the legendary Dhoni against Rajasthan’s skipper Sanju Samson in a cheeky debate about young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

“The Tata IPL has consistently been a springboard for talent over the years where we have seen many emerge on the big scene by helping their respective teams to the title. Winning this league is no mean feat but the fact that a teen like Vaibhav can also stake a claim to fame based on sheer talent is the charm of the league,” said Dhoni, for whom screen time is as easy as keeping behind the wickets after so many years of facing the camera.

“While winning the IPL is a dream, what I truly cherish is how the league gives us a chance to showcase our skills,” said Samson, clearly relishing his screen time with the CSK legend.

Mumbai Indians’ stars Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya feature in the aptly named ‘MI6 Possible’, a playful nod to the franchise’s quest for a record-extending sixth title. The film cheekily celebrates the camaraderie behind the team’s trophy-laden cabinet.

“Being a part of Mumbai Indians has always been an honour, and this new campaign film is a take on the belief that exists between us in the team and it’s that very spirit that’s helped us become one of the most successful teams in the league. It’s all in good fun, but the focus always is on contributing to the team’s success,” effuses the RoHitman.

“We wear the Mumbai Indians badge with immense pride,” gushed Pandya, who’s taken over the captaincy reins this season.

The third film follows RCB’s poster boy Virat Kohli experiencing cosmic coincidences with the number 18 during a café visit with his manager. The numerical omens have Kohli fans salivating at the prospect that this might – finally – be RCB’s year to lift the elusive trophy.

With half the franchises flaunting new skippers and revamped squads, the tournament promises more twists than a Bollywood blockbuster – fitting, as famed director Nitesh Tiwari of Dangal fame has helmed some of the campaign films.

The Tata IPL 2025 kicks off next month, and if JioStar’s fun campaign is anything to go by, cricket fans are in for an absolute treat. Yahaan sab possible hai, indeed!

To watch the MS Dhoni-Sanju Samson film click here
To watch the Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav film click here
To watch the Virat Kohli film, click here

March 13, 2025
My11circle partners with JioStar as co-presenting partner for TATA IPL

MUMBAI: Cricket fever in India is no joke, and this year, the excitement just got bigger. My11circle has partnered with JioStar as a co-presenting partner for the official digital streaming of TATA IPL 2025. That’s right—fantasy cricket just levelled up, and fans are in for an even more immersive, edge-of-the-seat experience.

This move cements My11circle’s position at the heart of cricket fandom, tapping into JioStar’s massive digital reach across mobile and connected devices. The brand, already an official associate partner of TATA IPL, is now in its second year of a five-year commitment to the marquee tournament. And if there’s one thing this deal guarantees, it’s a season packed with adrenaline-pumping cricket and non-stop engagement.

My11circle’s goal? Bringing cricket fans closer to the action than ever before. And with this partnership, they’re doing just that.

“The passion for IPL in India is undeniable, and we are dedicated to providing users with an even more dynamic and immersive experience. At My11circle, our focus has always been on our users. Partnering with JioStar as a co-presenting partner helps us blend seamlessly with the digital viewing experience, taking fan engagement to the next level. Together, we’re creating a platform that not only celebrates cricket but also brings fans closer to the action,” said Games24x7 COO Saroj Panigrahi.

By aligning with JioStar, My11circle is now set to engage with millions of cricket fans streaming TATA IPL 2025 digitally, ensuring deeper interaction, real-time participation, and an overall next-gen fantasy sports experience. This partnership doesn’t just make watching cricket fun—it turns every match into a high-stakes, immersive event where fans can test their skills, make strategic calls, and win big.

With its rapidly growing fantasy sports community, My11circle continues to push boundaries, using cutting-edge technology and a seamless platform to redefine the cricket fan experience.

March 3, 2025
IPL 2025 auction: A day of big spending

MUMBAI: Surprises galore! That’s what the day one of Tata IPL 2025 Mega Auction/player draft in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia threw up yesterday with some players being bought for astounding prices and some going unsold. Overall, the managements of the 10 teams spent Rs 467.5 crore, purchasing 72 players, of which 24 players were international players.

Amongst the biggest eyeopeners was the Rs 27 crore sticker price that Lucknow Super Giants paid to acquire the swashbuckling Rishabh Pant, making him the most expensive cricketer in the league’s history. Earlier, Punjab Kings coughed up Rs 26.75 crore for Shreyas Iyer breaking the Rs 24.75 crore record set for Mitchell Starc by Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.

Kolkata Knight Riders also almost broke the bank by shoveling Rs 23.75 crore for all arounder Venkatesh Iyer. Leggie Yuzvendra Chahal became the most expensive Indian spinner ever in IPL as Punjab Kings picked him for Rs 18 crore. Pacer Arshdeep Singh who was the first player to be put on the blocks during the auction was also purchased by Punjab Kings for an astounding Rs 18 crore, using the right to match card, beating out Sunrisers Hyderabad in the process. Amongst the players who went shockingly unsold included: Devdutt Padikkal, David Warner and Piyush Chawla.

When the day began, a total of 574 players were shortlisted from an initial pool of 1,574 names. This included 208 overseas players, 12 uncapped overseas talents, and 318 uncapped Indian players. Mallika Sagar stood up as the auctioneer for the whole period of the auction.

Chennai Super Kings had held on to Ruturaj Gaikwad, MS Dhoni; Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube and Matheesha Pathirana while Mumbai Indians had retained Hardik Pandya. Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma. On the other hand Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Yash Dayal and Sunrisers Hyderabad retained Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy.

While Delhi Capitals players retained Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel. Punjab Kings had decided to continue with only Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh. Gujarat Titans retained Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan even as Lucknow Super Giants retained Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav , Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan. Rajasthan Royals held on to Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer and Sandeep Sharma even as Kolkata Knight Riders retained Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana and Ramandeep Singh.

This gave Punjab Kings a purse of Rs 110.5 crore when the auction commenced,; Rajasthan Royals, Rs 41 crore; Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rs 83 crore, Delhi Capitals, Rs 73 crore; Lucknow Super Giants, Rs 69 crore; Gujarat Titans, Rs 69 crore; Chennai Super Kings, Rs 55 crore; Kolkata Knight Riders, Rs 51 crore; Mumbai Indians, Rs 45 crore and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rs 45 crore.

The players who were bought today included:

Kagiso Rabada (by Gujarat Titans for Rs 10.75 crore); Jos Buttler (Gujarat Titans, Rs 15.75 crore);
Mitchell Starc (Delhi Capitals, Rs 11.75 crore); Mohammed Shami (Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rs 10 crore); David Miller (Lucknow Super Giants, Rs 7.50 crore); Mohammed Siraj (Gujarat Titans, 12.25 crore); Liam Livingstone (Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rs 8.75 crore); K.L. Rahul (Delhi Capitals, Rs 14 crore); Harry Brook (Delhi Capitals, Rs 6.25 crore); Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants, Rs 2 crore); Devon Conway (Chennai Super Kings, Rs 6.25 crore); Rahul Tripathi (Chennai Super Kings, Rs 3.40 crore); Jake Fraser-McGurk (Delhi Capitals, Rs 9 crore); Harshal Patel (Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rs 8 crore); Rachin Ravindra (Chennai Super Kings, Rs 4 crore); Ravichandran Ashwin (Chennai Super Kings, Rs 9.75 crore); Marcus Stoinis (Punjab Kings; Rs 11 crore); Mitchell Marsh (Lucknow Super Giants; Rs 3.40 crore); Glenn Maxwell goes (Punjab Kings, Rs 4.20 crore); Quinton de Kock (Kolkata Knight Riders, Rs 3.60 crore); Phil Salt (Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rs 11.5 crore); Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Kolkata Knight Riders, Rs 2 crore); Ishan Kishen (Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rs 11.25 crore); Jitesh Sharma (Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rs 11 crore); Josh Hazlewood (Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rs 12.50 crore); Prasidh Krishna (Gujarat Titans, Rs 9.5 crore); Avesh Khan (Lucknow Super Giants, Rs 9.75 crore); Anrich Nortje (Kolkata Knight Riders, Rs 6.5 crore); Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals, Rs 12.5 crore); Khaleel Ahmed (Chennai Super Kings, Rs 4.80 crore); T. Natarajan (Delhi Capitals, Rs 10.75 crore); Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians, Rs 12.5 crore); Maheesh Theekshana (Rajasthan Royals, Rs 4.40 crore); Rahul Chahar (Sunrisers Hyderabad,Rs 3.20 crore); Adam Zampa (Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rs 2.40 crore); Wanindu Hasaranga (Rajasthan Royals, Rs 5.25 crore); Noor Ahmad (Chennai Super Kings, Rs 10 crore); Atharva Taide (Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rs 30 lakh); Nehal Wadhera (Punjab Kings, Rs 4.20 crore); Karun Nair (Delhi Capitals; Rs 50 lakh), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (Chennai Super Kings, Rs 3 crore); Abhinav Manohar (Kolkata Knight Riders, Rs 3.20 crore); buy Nishant Sindhu (Gujarat Titans, Rs 30 lakh); Naman Dhir (Mumbai Indians, Rs 5.25 crore); Sameer Rizvi (Delhi Capitals, Rs 95 lakh); Abdul Samad (Lucknow Super Giants, Rs 4.20 crore); Harpreet Brar (Punjab Kings, Rs 1.50 crore); Vijay Shankar (Chennai Super Kings, Rs 1.20 crore); Mahipal Lomror (Gujarat Titans, Rs 1.70 crore); Ashutosh Sharma (Delhi Capitals, Rs 3.80 crore); Vishnu Vinod (Punjab Kings, Rs 95 lakh); Aryan Juyal (Lucknow Super Giants, Rs 30 lakh); Anuj Rawat (Gujarat Titans, Rs 30 lakh); Robin Minz (Mumbai Indians, Rs 65 lakh); Kumar Kushagra (Gujarat Titans, Rs 65 lakh); Akash Madhwal (Rajasthan Royals, Rs 1.20 crore); Mohit Sharma (Delhi Capitals, Rs 2.20 crore); Vyshak Vijaykumar (Punjab Kings, Rs 1.80 crore). Vaibhav Arora (Kolkata Knight Riders , Rs 1.80 crore); Yash Thakur (Punjab Kings, Rs 1.60 crore); Simarjeet Singh (Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rs 1.5 crore); Suyash Sharma (Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rs 2.6 crore); Manav Suthar (Gujarat Titans, Rs 30 lakh); Kumar Kartikeya Singh (Rajasthan Royals, Rs 30 lakh); Mayank Markande (Kolkata Knight Riders, Rs 30 lakh); Karn Sharma (Mumbai Indians, Rs 50 lakh) and Rasikh Dhar (Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rs 6 crore).

November 24, 2024
Sahil Chopra promoted as associate VP at Viacom18 Media

Mumbai: Sahil Chopra has been promoted as associate VP at Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. He announced the news via Linkdin post stating, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Associate Vice President at Viacom18 Media Private Limited!”

Previously, he was associated with JioCinema as senior director – Brand & Sports Marketing, where he was the creative strategy lead for sports portfolio – TATA IPL, BCCI domestic series, Olympics, WPL etc.

Chopra is a marketing specialist with 11+ years of experience in content marketing across Media platforms. Skilled in creating value for businesses via brands. Trained in Digital Marketing and Social media marketing from the Indian School of business (ISB), Hyderabad and PGDM in Brand Management from MICA.

July 2, 2024
STAR Sports’ fan-first initiatives boost digital engagement for IPL 2024

Mumbai: Since the start of the 17th edition of the IPL, Star Sports’ social media platforms have experienced an extraordinary surge in engagement, witnessing 300 per cent growth compared to 2023 edition. Additionally, the broadcaster recorded over one billion views and reached out to more than 100 million unique users during the entire IPL 2024 season.

The broadcaster celebrated the cricketing festival across the nation with its multifaceted approach, providing fans with various experiences through on-ground activations and social platforms. Anchored by the incredible star cast of experts, Star Sports Believe ambassadors and more than 2000 creators from Star Sports Creator Network, the broadcaster has woven together a myriad of engaging initiatives, embodying the essence of IPL fandom.

“We are ecstatic by the overwhelming response from fans across the nation during this IPL season. The incredible growth in engagement on our social media platforms and the widespread reach we achieved is a testament to the passion and love of fans and viewers that unites us all. Our dedicated efforts to create a vibrant and immersive fan experience, have truly brought the spirit of IPL to life. We remain committed to enhancing digital engagement and delivering unparalleled experiences to our fans and viewers”, said Star Sports Network head – marketing Vikram Passi.

Starting with ‘Star Nahi Far’, the broadcaster provided a unique opportunity for fans across the lengths and breadths of the country to meet their favourite IPL players and legends up close and personal. Star Sports Believe ambassadors like Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson and cricket legends like Steve Smith and Stuart Broad among others were part of this unique initiative by Star Sports. Over 50 million unique cricket enthusiasts nationwide across 1450 cities actively participated in Star Sports’ ‘Star Nahi Far’ contest to meet more than 20 IPL stars, making it the biggest contest on Glance.

Speaking on the ‘Star Nahi Far’ initiative, Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant said, “Meeting fans through Star Sports’ wonderful ‘Star Nahi Far’ initiative was an incredibly humbling experience for me. Their unwavering support and heartfelt wishes during the tough times touched me. I had a fantastic time interacting with everyone and playing gully cricket, which brought back so many cherished memories. The love and encouragement from the fans have fueled my determination, and I can’t wait to give my best for the country.”

In another initiative, Star Sports’ “Dream Job” offered aspiring creators to be next face on Star Sports for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. This eight-week challenge during IPL 2024, around key narratives of the on-going season, garnered an overwhelming response, attracting 5,500 entries from a diverse array of participants spanning different demographics, geographies, and walks of life. Some entries gained significant attention on social media, with one reel amassing over 61 million views, highlighting the wide array of talent in the country. Overall, the Star Sports Dream Job activation was a unique initiative leveraging the digital ecosystem to discover talent that resulted in more than 310 million views. Soumi Dey Sarkar, a national-level athlete in powerlifting and a runner, has bagged the prestigious Star Sports ‘Dream Job’ following a robust selection drive during the TATA IPL 2024.

Star Sports also collaborated with over 100 top influencers across India throughout the season. There was a special match organized between creators and former cricketers under the banner of “Ajab Gajab T20 Challenge”. The match features influencers like Dharna, Abhishek Malhan, Aakash Gupta, and Viraj Ghelani playing alongside Steve Smith, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, and Ambati Rayudu. Partnerships with creators like CarryMinati and Madan Gowri added diverse content.

Speaking about his association with Star Sports for the TATA IPL 2024, CarryMinati said, “Working with Star Sports on the TATA IPL 2024 was a special experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to showcase a different side of the tournament. Working alongside cricket legends and hearing their insights was truly memorable.”

Moreover, ‘Incredible Premier League School Quiz’ ignited the passion of young cricket fans, nurturing their love for the sport and creating unique opportunities for brands targeting this enthusiastic consumer cohort. The second instalment of this quiz has attracted a record-breaking 2.1 lakh participants from over 17,000 schools.

The broadcaster has also closely worked with multiple platforms such as Meta, YouTube, Glance and Josh among others to better serve the fan. With the fan approach and regular engagements, the broadcaster has built a robust fan community of 50.9 million* fans across YouTube, Instagram, X, Facebook and WhatsApp and largest sports community on WhatsApp in India with more than 15.50 million followers.

June 6, 2024
JioCinema sets new benchmarks achieving over 62 Crore reach during TATA IPL 2024

Mumbai: JioCinema, the official streaming platform for the TATA IPL, brought down curtains on yet another successful season with a record reach of 2,600 Crore views during the 2024 season of TATA IPL, a 53 per cent growth compared to TATA IPL 2023. As JioCinema concluded their second season, the platform recorded over 35,000 Crore minutes of watch-time.

Keeping the momentum going after an incredible opening night, JioCinema’s reach grew by over 38 per cent, concluding the season at over 62 Crores. The Connected TV audience expanded substantially as the 12 language feeds, 4K viewing, multi-cam views, and stadium like experience through AR/VR and 360-degree viewing led to average time spent touching 75 minutes from over 60 minutes last season.

JioCinema opened the 2024 season with over 11.3 Crore viewers logged in on Day 1, a 51 per cent increase compared to Day 1 of TATA IPL 2023. As JioCinema commenced their second season on digital, over 59 Crore video views were registered on the platform for the opening day of TATA IPL 2024 which led to 660 Crore minutes of watch-time.

“We conclude the TATA IPL 2024 with a promise to continue to redefine the way sports is consumed in India,” said a Viacom18 Spokesperson. “The growth we are seeing year-on-year assures us that our viewer-centric presentation is engaged with and appreciated. We would also like to thank our partners, sponsors, and stakeholders who have shared our vision as we remain on course to make JioCinema the most sought-after platform.”

This season, JioCinema took the opening match presentation to a whole new level with six leading consumer brands, Dream11, Charged by Thums Up, Parle Products, Britannia, Dalmia Cements, and HDFC Bank, debuting their TATA IPL campaigns within the first six overs of the opening game under the newly-introduced JioCinema Brand Spotlight. By the end of the season, JioCinema had a record 28 sponsors and over 1400 advertisers.

JioCinema’s commitment to offer the best-in-class sports content will continue with the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Viewers can expect an enhanced viewing experience of the Olympics like never before, with thousands of hours of live and on demand action. Viacom18’s comprehensive coverage of Paris 2024 will include content around must-watch events for India fans, Indians to watch out for at the Olympics, greatest performances in Olympics history, unprecedented landmarks Indians can achieve at Paris 2024, and much more.

May 30, 2024
JioCinema logs over 71.5 crore views for the MI vs CSK clash

Mumbai: JioCinema logged over 71.5 crore views for the marquee fixture between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings on 14 April which was lit by MS Dhoni’s last-over cameo and blistering ton by Rohit Sharma. The official streaming platform for the TATA IPL amassed 933 Crore minutes of watch time and 13 crore viewers, bettering the reach of TATA IPL 2023 final.

JioCinema commenced the 2024 season with over 59 crore views which led to 660 crore minutes of watch-time on day one. After 29 matches, over 1200 crore views and 14,800 crore minutes of watch time were clocked from 38.3 crore viewers on the platform, a 42 per cent growth in viewers compared to the same period last season. The time spent per viewer per match on connected TV (CTV) has crossed 80 minutes.

JioCinema’s free-to-play predict and win game, Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan has enhanced the overall fan engagement efforts. The opening night contest saw Bhandup-based Antony D’Cruz winning gold worth Rs 50 lakhs. Over 25 viewers from lengths and breadths of the country have won an elegant hatchback, motorcycle, and a smart TV, among many other prizes.

JioCinema’s list of digital streaming sponsors for the 2024 TATA IPL season includes Dream11 as a co-presenting sponsor, while Tata Motors, PayZapp by HDFC Bank, SBI, Cred, AMFI, Upstox, Charged by Thums Up, Britannia, Pepsi, Parle products, Google Pixel, Haier, Jindal Steel, Vodafone, Dalmia Cements, Kamla Pasand, Rapido, MRF Tyres, RuPay and Jaquar Bath & Light, have joined hands as associate sponsors.

Fans can watch the 2024 TATA IPL season in 4K, across 12 languages, including Haryanvi for the first time, with multi-cam options, including the much-loved Hero Cam.

April 16, 2024
Tata IPL’s biggest TV opening: 17 crore viewers on Disney Star Network

Mumbai: Disney Star, the official broadcaster of the TATA IPL has started season 17 of TATA IPL with a record-breaking Opening Day. 16.8 crore unique viewers watched the broadcast of TATA IPL 2024 on Day 1, registering a watch time of 1276 crore minutes – the *highest ever for the opening day of any IPL season.

The opening day of TATA IPL 2024 on the Disney Star network, for the first time ever, featured eight of the 10 captains for season 17, reflecting on what the tournament has in store for them as well as the potential opportunities and challenges. This unfiltered account of the IPL captains’ expectations made for compelling viewing on opening day.

Season 17 of TATA IPL, also witnessed the highest-ever peak TV concurrency for an IPL opening day, with 6.1 crore viewers watching the broadcast simultaneously on the Disney Star network.

A Star Sports spokesperson said, “This is a monumental achievement, made possible by fans’ love for Star Sports and an unwavering commitment of the network to ‘serving fans’. We would also like to thank all our partners and extend heartfelt gratitude to the BCCI for their support of the wide array of initiatives that Star Sports has continually undertaken to grow Cricket and TATA IPL. This growth is a reaffirmation of the incomparable capacity of Live Cricket to aggregate audiences on TV and provides a blockbuster start to the tournament. We will continue to enrich the magic of one of the world’s biggest sporting events to take forward the launch momentum and deliver unprecedented viewership.”

A star-studded line-up of talent comprising IPL title winners, World Cup champions, reputed coaches and legends from the game presented the Opening Day. It saw Navjot Singh Sidhu return to the commentary box and join India’s World Champions Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth. It witnessed debuts of Steve Smith and Stuart Broad, who join legends Brian Lara, Matthew Hayden, Kevin Pietersen, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn in presenting TATA IPL 2024. CSK’s former stars Ambati Rayudu, Murali Vijay, L Balaji and Subramaniam Badrinath along with IPL champions Vinay Kumar and Venugopal Rao were at the forefront of Disney Star’s regional feeds in nine languages.

The ensemble of 120 cricketers was complimented by national and regional celebrities as well as fan-favourite presenters and content creators, to deliver wholesome entertainment on the opening day.

The other drivers of the staggering opening day viewership were Star Sports’ high-decibel marketing campaign, innovative programming initiatives and fan activations. The compelling marketing campaign celebrated diverse shades of fandom associated with TATA IPL building anticipation for the start of the tournament while the network’s programming, committed to “serving fans”, delivered content catering to diverse audience cohorts to drive increased engagement.

The Star Nahi Far initiative which seeks to bring fans closer to their favourite superstars from the world of cricket witnessed incredible turnouts across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kochi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Lucknow, helping galvanise fans across the country.

The record-breaking TV viewership on the Opening Day comes on the back of an incredible lead-up to season 17 which attracted more than 24.5 crore unique viewers till a week prior to the start of the tournament.

Star Sports has also launched TATA IPL in 4K with Atmos sound across major DTH platforms, to deliver enhanced visual delight complimented with an incomparable audio experience.

Star Sports has also launched a special feed for the differently abled with descriptive commentary and sign language interpretation, for the visually impaired, deaf or hard-of-hearing fans, making this IPL truly inclusive. This is the first time for any marquee sporting event, anywhere in the world to have a LIVE feed for differently abled.

The runner-up for the Graham Bell award for technology, surprised the nation with introduction of their AI technology which allowed international experts to engage with fans in their local languages.

Source:

BARC data
*Excluding 2020 (COVID Year)

Watch the thrilling action of the Tata IPL 2024 live on TV on the Star Sports Network from 22 March – 26 May 2024.

March 28, 2024