Cricket enthusiasts in India have reason to celebrate as Disney+ Hotstar, one of the leading streaming platforms, has announced that it will provide free live streaming of the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 and ICC Men’s World Cup cricket matches. This move comes in response to the overwhelming success witnessed by JioCinema, which offered free streaming of IPL 2023 matches to its subscribers and set new viewership records. With this strategic decision, Disney+ Hotstar aims to captivate a wider audience and regain its position in the highly competitive OTT (over-the-top) market.
Asia Cup 2023 and ICC World Cup 2023: Cricket Extravaganza for Mobile Users:
As per reports quoting the FICCI E&Y Report, Disney+ Hotstar will offer mobile users in India the opportunity to stream the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2023 and ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 matches for free. This means cricket enthusiasts can enjoy the thrill and excitement of these prestigious tournaments without any additional cost. The move reflects Disney+ Hotstar’s commitment to enhancing the viewer experience and growing the overall ecosystem of OTT platforms.
Taking Inspiration from JioCinema’s Success:
The decision by Disney+ Hotstar to offer free live streaming of major cricket tournaments follows the footsteps of JioCinema, which created a sensation by providing free streaming of IPL 2023 matches to its subscribers. JioCinema witnessed an astonishing viewership of 44.9 crore during the Tata IPL 2023, setting a new benchmark for digital sports streaming. Inspired by JioCinema’s success, Disney+ Hotstar aims to replicate this achievement and regain its position as a leading platform for cricket streaming.
Impressive Viewership and Strategic Partnerships:
The previous edition of the IPL showcased the immense potential of streaming platforms in capturing the attention of cricket fans. JioCinema, as the digital streaming partner, achieved record viewership, surpassing half a billion views, while Disney+ Hotstar emerged as the leading television broadcaster of the tournament. This year, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) split the broadcasting rights, with Disney+ Hotstar securing the digital streaming rights and JioCinema becoming the official digital partner. These strategic partnerships and the availability of major tournaments for free will significantly boost the viewership and engagement levels for both platforms.
Reaching a Wider Audience and Regaining Lost Ground:
Previously, to access cricket tournaments and other sports content on Disney+ Hotstar, users were required to subscribe to the Premium plan or above, starting at Rs 299 per month. However, with the decision to provide free streaming of the Asia Cup and ICC World Cup 2023 matches, Disney+ Hotstar aims to attract a broader audience and regain the attention of cricket enthusiasts who may have sought alternative platforms. With more than 600 million smartphone users and over a billion cricket fans in India, the potential for success is undeniable.
Conclusion:
Disney+ Hotstar’s decision to offer free live streaming of the Asia Cup and ICC World Cup 2023 matches is a game-changing move in the world of digital sports streaming. Following JioCinema’s footsteps, Disney+ Hotstar aims to captivate millions of cricket fans, enhance the overall viewer experience, and regain its position as a leading streaming platform. This move will not only provide entertainment to cricket enthusiasts but also pave the way for future innovations in the OTT industry, benefitting both viewers and content providers. So, get ready to witness the cricket extravaganza without any subscription barriers and embrace the spirit of the game like never before.
