According to company’s official statement, the premium audiences have played a substantial role in this surge. Viewers in NCCS A (National Consumer Classification System A) have increased by 40 per cent, while NCCS B has grown by 24 per cent. Live broadcasts of the first 11 matches have been witnessed by a whopping 268 million viewers, including 96 million young working professionals (aged 22-40), marking a 5 per cent increase from the 2019 edition.
The peak live concurrency during the tournament reached nearly 56 million viewers, notably recorded during the electrifying India versus Australia match in Chennai on October 8.
A spokesperson from Star Sports commented, “The ICC Men’s CWC 2023 is off to a solid start with significant growth in TV viewership compared to the previous edition. With heightened buzz around the Ind v Pak match, recent upsets, and growing interest in the fluctuating fortunes of popular teams, the tournament is set for a spike in interest and engagement.”
To enhance the viewer experience, Star Sports produced 11 feeds for the ICC Men’s CWC 2023, including feeds in nine different languages, as well as two vertical feeds for Disney+ Hotstar. The tournament’s broadcast has been enriched by non-live programming shows such as ‘Follow the Blues,’ ‘Game Plan,’ ‘Match Point,’ and ‘Cheeky Singles,’ providing in-depth analysis and captivating build-up to the games.
Moreover, a fan-centric campaign has been launched, igniting the dreams of millions with the aspiration of India clinching the coveted World Cup trophy once again. The campaign featured an array of top celebrities, including Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ravi Teja, Shiva Rajkumar, Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon, Kangana Renaut, and more, expressing their love and admiration for the sport and their favorite Indian cricketers on ‘Cricket Live.’
