India-SA T20 WC final match records 5.3 Cr peak concurrent viewership

New Delhi: The T20 World Cup final match which ended India's 13-year wait to lift an ICC trophy, witnessed a peak concurrent viewership of 5.3 crore on the OTT streaming platform but fell short of the record audience posted in the last year's ODI final match in November.

The India-South Africa ICC Mens’ T20 Cricket World Cup final match on Saturday, recorded a peak concurrent viewership of nearly 5.3 crore on Disney+Hotstar OTT platform.

Commenting on the milestone, Sajith Sivanandan, Head, Disney+ Hotstar India, said, “Congratulations to both teams for their outstanding performances during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Team India has brought joy and pride to millions, with their incredible skill and dedication. We are proud to have brought those moments to their homes and their hands. With a staggering 5.3 cr concurrent viewers tuning in on Disney+ Hotstar for the finals, the highest peak concurrency recorded for this tournament, the support of Indian cricket fans has lifted us to new heights in live sports streaming. It has been a real privilege matching their unwavering passion and support with our innovation.”

The peak concurrent viewership in the final match between India and Australia in the 50-overs format on November 20, 2023, was 5.9 crore, despite the host nation ending on the losing side.

This 5.9 crore still holds the record for peak concurrency for live streaming of any cricket match, according to industry experts.

Meanwhile, the peak concurrency in the knockout match played between India and Australia in the T20 Cricket World Cup on June 24 was 3.9 crore.

Disney Star has exclusive broadcast and media rights for both linear and digital platforms.

Saturday's final match was also telecast live by Disney Star on the Star Sports network but viewership numbers will be released only a week later by television audience measurement body Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC).

Karan Taurani, SVP of Elara Capital, said the final match played on Saturday may not have achieved that number but the interesting fact is that 4 to 4.5 crore viewers were watching the match constantly because of the nail-biting finish.

"There was a longer time frame of having 4 to 4.5 crore viewers, which was not there in the India-Australia final match” played last year, he added.

Moreover, even in the post-match ceremony, the viewership number sustained between a range of 2.5 to 3 crore viewers, which was interesting.