The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most significant cricket tournaments in the world. Millions of people eagerly wait for the start of the IPL season to watch their favorite teams compete. This year’s IPL season started with a bang, as JioCinema, a mobile app owned by Reliance Industries, recorded a record-breaking 1.47 billion digital video views and 50 million app downloads during the first weekend.
JioCinema, which is part of Viacom18, the media unit owned by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance, reported that the number of video viewers on digital platforms for the IPL weekend surpassed the number of digital viewers for the entire IPL season. This is an astonishing achievement for JioCinema, considering that the IPL is the richest cricket league in the world, with millions of viewers worldwide.
According to Viacom18, the opening match between Chennai Super Kings and defending champion Gujarat Titans attracted pinnacle participation of 16 million watchers on JioCinema. The app’s performance during the first weekend of the IPL season was nothing short of remarkable.
Viacom18 Sports Chief Executive Officer Anil Jayaraj stated in a statement that the landscape for content consumption has increasingly shifted “to digital, and JioCinema’s performance this week is the biggest evidence of it.” This statement reflects the growing trend of digital consumption and the increasing importance of mobile apps in the entertainment industry.
In contrast, Disney-owned Star India, the official TV broadcaster of the IPL, reported a total of 8.7 billion minutes of television viewing for the opening match between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. While linear television continues to dominate as the preferred platform for uninterrupted cricket viewing, digital platforms are slowly catching up.
Viacom18 purchased Disney’s digital streaming rights for the IPL from 2023 to 2027 for 237.58 billion Indian rupees ($2.89 billion). This acquisition has placed Reliance Industries in direct competition with Disney, who are both vying for a significant portion of advertising revenue.
These remarks point to the fierce rivalry between Reliance and Disney. Channels are spending more to increase viewership, and advertisers are cutting back on spending due to inflation. The battle for advertising revenue has never been more crucial, and JioCinema’s record-breaking performance during the opening weekend of the IPL season has given Reliance Industries a significant advantage over Disney.
In conclusion, JioCinema’s record-breaking 1.47 billion digital views and 50 million app downloads during the opening weekend of the IPL season is a testament to the growing trend of digital consumption in the entertainment industry. While linear television continues to dominate, digital platforms are slowly catching up. Reliance Industries and Disney’s battle for advertising revenue is set to intensify, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
