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In a historic moment for cricket enthusiasts worldwide, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, hosted in India, has etched its name in the annals of sports history by becoming the biggest World Cup ever. The tournament, culminating in Australia’s sixth title victory, not only showcased the thrill of cricket at its zenith but also shattered broadcast and digital records, setting new benchmarks for global viewership.
The event’s grandeur was magnified by a staggering 1 trillion global live viewing minutes, a testament to the fervor it ignited among fans. Technological innovations, including the revolutionary vertical video feed, enriched the viewing experience on mobile devices, making it more intuitive and engaging for audiences worldwide.
The grand finale between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium, witnessed an unprecedented 87.6 billion live viewing minutes globally. This marked a remarkable 46% growth compared to the 2011 final, highlighting the escalating global interest in cricket.
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A total of 20 broadcast partners across 209 territories carried the event, with a groundbreaking introduction of Hindi coverage outside India by ESPN+, Fox Sports, Sky Sports, and Willow TV. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice expressed delight, stating, “The incredible numbers continue to show the increased appetite for ICC events across the world and the consumption of innovative and engaging content that fans can enjoy.”
India emerged as the epicenter of the cricket frenzy, with the tournament becoming the most-watched Cricket World Cup ever in the country. The Disney Star Network alone recorded a colossal 422 billion viewing minutes, signifying a remarkable 54% increase from 2011 and a significant 9% rise from 2019.
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Female viewership share rose from 32% in 2011 to 34% in 2023, reflecting universal excitement surrounding the home tournament. The final between India and Australia became the most-watched Men’s Cricket World Cup match ever in India, with a peak TV audience of 130 million.
The tournament’s impact extended globally, with the United Kingdom and Australia experiencing substantial jumps in viewership compared to 2011. In the UK, live coverage hours increased by 24%, while Australia witnessed a staggering 92% surge in live viewing minutes.
Pakistan, South Africa, and the United States also recorded unprecedented viewership, contributing to the overall success of the 2023 edition. Pakistan witnessed a record 237.10 billion viewing minutes, while South Africa saw a 32% increase in viewership from 2019, and the United States observed a 14% rise in coverage hours.
The decision to make coverage freely available for mobile users via Disney+ Hotstar in India resulted in a whopping 295 million LIVE Tournament viewers. The digital revolution during the event saw five world records broken on Disney+ Hotstar for digital peak concurrency, with the final attracting cricket’s highest concurrent audience ever, making history at four other 2023 World Cup matches. The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 has not only celebrated the sport but has also marked a defining moment in the realm of global sports entertainment.
-IANS
