Streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar registered a record high concurrent viewership of 5.8 crore viewers during the final of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, played between India and Australia on November 19.
The numbers surpassed the previous record high concurrent viewership of 5.3 crore, recorded in the semifinal of the tournament played between India and New Zealand on November 15.
Notably, the streaming platform offers free viewership of the World Cup matches in non-HD format. The move comes months after rival Jio Cinema streamed the matches of Indian Premier League (IPL) for free.
Track live score and updates of India vs Australia, World Cup final
The milestone of 5.3 concurrent viewers has been recorded by Disney+ Hotstar at a time when reports are claiming that Walt Disney is considering various strategic options regarding its India business. The options on the table include a joint venture or sale, as the company looks to reduce costs and help the business to grow, the Wall Street Journal reported in July.
Disney CEO Bob Iger, during an earnings call on November 9, said that the company would like to stay in India, even as it continues to explore its options. “In India, our linear business actually does quite well. It’s making money. But we know that other parts of that business are challenged for us and for others, and we are looking, I’ll call it expansively. We’re considering our options there,” he said.
“We have an opportunity to strengthen our hand. It is maybe the most populous country in the world, or just still second to China and about to pass them. We’d like to stay in that market. And we also are looking to see whether we can strengthen our hand, obviously, improve the bottom line,” Iger added.
Meanwhile, at the time of publishing this report, the concurrent viewership during the World Cup final match was hovering at around 4.8 crore. The Indian team, which batted first, was bowled by the Australian side at 240. The Aussies, chasing a target of 241, was batting at 38/1 in 3.3 overs. The viewership is expected to peak if India makes a comeback into the game.
Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world 🌏 Click here to know more.
Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
Updated: 19 Nov 2023, 07:11 PM IST