India's Champions Trophy Cricket Triumph Delivers Record Numbers for JioHotstar
The streaming service reported a total of 5.4 billion views across the tournament, with viewers logging a cumulative watch time of nearly 110 billion minutes. The India-New Zealand final alone generated an unprecedented 1.24 billion views and reached a peak concurrent viewership of 61.2 million users.
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Hindi-speaking regions drove over 38% of the platform's total audience, with states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Goa, Punjab, and Haryana leading consumption patterns. JioHotstar also flexed its technical muscle by achieving more than 80% penetration in WiFi-enabled connected TV households, with Maharashtra recording the highest viewership in this segment.
'The overwhelming response to the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 marks a leap toward the billion-screen opportunity, where seamless access and immersive engagement are now the expectation, not the exception,' said Kiran Mani, CEO of digital at parent company JioStar. 'The tournament also saw the highest-ever single-day subscriptions since launch, during the India vs Australia match, further underscoring the scale at which audiences are embracing digital streaming.'
JioHotstar's ambitious coverage included 16 different feeds across nine languages: English, Hindi, Marathi, Haryanvi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. The platform supplemented these options with four multi-camera feeds, an Indian Sign Language feed, and audio descriptive commentary to ensure accessibility for diverse audiences. A vertical feed option (MaxView) in both Hindi and English catered to mobile viewers consuming content on the go.
Sanjog Gupta, CEO of sports at JioStar, positioned the tournament's success as a cultural moment transcending sport: 'The Indian team's campaign in the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 was more than just a victory – it was a demonstration of cricket's influence on the collective consciousness and culture of the country. With peak concurrency of 61.2 million for the final and sustained levels of concurrency around 50 million for the tournament, JioHotstar became the digital heartbeat of this celebration.'
JioStar was formed through the $8.5 billion merger of Disney's Star India with Reliance's Viacom18 and streaming platforms JioCinema and Hotstar.
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New York Post
22 minutes ago
- New York Post
Comedian Zakir Khan headlines MSG: Where to buy tickets
Vivid Seats is the New York Post's official ticketing partner. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Featured pricing is subject to change. Zakir Khan is about to make comedy history. On Sunday, Aug. 17, the Indore native will become the first stand-up to headline a show in Hindi at New York City's Madison Square Garden. 'Comedy is deeply rooted in context, and much of that context doesn't translate well across languages,' the 37-year-old funnyman explained to The Post in an exclusive interview. 'Since I'm sharing stories from my childhood and personal experiences, it's most authentic for me to express them in my native language, Hindi.' Advertisement The Big Apple night is just one small part of the gifted storyteller's mammoth ongoing North American arena tour. Following the MSG gig, he has 12 more shows lined up in the U.S. and Canada including a pair at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena on Sunday, Aug. 24. And, yes, he has some tricks up his sleeve. 'It's a guest-heavy tour featuring legends and friends who will be supporting me at the shows at Madison Square Garden and Scotiabank Arena,' Khan teased. 'It's a surprise worth keeping a secret till the time I bring them on stage. It is one of the biggest nights of my life and I want to celebrate stand up comedy with my audience and make it as memorable as possible for them.' If you've exhausted Khan's five Amazon Prime specials and are craving something new, tickets are still available for all upcoming shows on the run from August through October. Advertisement Just be prepared for the adventure of a lifetime. 'It's an emotion-filled rollercoaster ride, one that leaves everyone in splits but also leaves everyone with some food for thought,' he noted. For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about Zakir Khan's 2025 North American stand-up comedy tour below. Zakir Khan tickets 2025 A complete calendar including all Zakir Khan tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets can be found below. Advertisement Zakir Khan comedy specials If you'd like to brush up on Khan's material before seeing him IRL, we recommend seeking out his five stand up specials on Amazon Prime Video. 'Each of them takes you on a different journey,' Khan shared with us. '[You] can watch any of them, I'd prefer you watch all of them.' To go on that journey, you can find all five Zakir Kahn comedy specials here: Advertisement 'Haq Se Single' (2017) can be streamed on Amazon Prime 'Kaksha Gyarvi' (2018) can be streamed on Amazon Prime 'Tathastu' (2022) can be streamed on Amazon Prime 'Mannpasand' (2023) can be streamed on Amazon Prime 'Delulu Express' (2025) can be streamed on Amazon Prime Zakir Khan interview Ahead of the show, we asked Khan a handful of questions about the MSG show and performing on the road. Below, you'll find a lightly edited version of our chat. What does performing at Madison Square Garden mean to you? Honestly, I wasn't sure how I'd get here—but I always imagined that I would. I've explored so many forms of expression over the years: music, radio, theater. Comedy ended up being the path that carried me forward, but I've always felt drawn to the stage in some form. What's your favorite story from the road? One particularly memorable experience was when I was scheduled to perform at the Beacon Theatre in New York. My flight from Chicago to New York was cancelled at the last minute, and because it was St. Patrick's Day weekend, almost every other flight was fully booked. I ended up taking a 5:30 AM connecting flight from Chicago to Detroit, then from Detroit to Washington, and finally drove all the way to New York. I got stuck in traffic at the New York–New Jersey tunnel and reached the venue just seven minutes before I was supposed to go on stage. It was a chaotic journey, but one I'll never forget. Will you be doing new material at this show? Each time I go back to a city, it's always a new show. This one too is a new show and very close to my heart. This is the 4th special I'm bringing to the USA and each time I come here, I end up wanting to perform a newer show immediately. Advertisement Is there any joke you're particularly excited to perform in the States and Canada? Nothing in particular honestly. I have stories that are four to five hours long, and depending on the room and audience, I get into the rhythm of my art form and try to take everyone on a journey with me. Is this your first time performing in NYC? If not, where have you gone up? I have performed multiple times in NYC before. We started with a dream when we were touring through the U.S. for the first time back in 2018, which eventually led to a goal for us- which was performing at The Garden. In New York, we started with The Town Hall, then Beacon Theatre, after that was The Theatre at MSG and now we're due to perform at The Arena. It was strategically planned and we made our way through these to ensure we're doing it the right way. Advertisement What's next for you? That's a great question. In fact, my team and I have been thinking about what to do after announcing shows like these. Once we announced our sold-out show at The Royal Albert Hall in London, we knew Madison Square Garden was the next sensible step. But what does one do after performing at The World's Most Famous Arena? I'm yet to comprehend. I may start doing shows that are more intimate, I may take a break. For now, I'm only imagining what me and the thousands of others with me are going to feel like on 17th of August. Who are some of your favorite comics working in the US these days? There are so many, but the ones I look up to the most are John Mulaney, Taylor Tomlinson, Nate Bargatze, Hannah Gadsby, Dave Chappelle, Ronny Chieng, Russell Peters and Hasan Minhaj. Hindi comedians on tour in 2025 Advertisement If Khan isn't headed to your neck of the woods in the near future, you need not worry. Many iconic Indian comedians will be out and about these next few months. Here are just five of our favorites you won't want to miss live. • Hasan Minhaj • Zarna Garg Advertisement • Russell Peters • Usama Siddiquee • Hari Kondabalu Plus, you won't want to miss A.R. Rahman at Newark's Prudential Center on Aug. 16. Who else is on the road? Take a look at our list of all the biggest comedians on tour in 2025 to find the show for you. This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change


Buzz Feed
22 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
Emma Thompson Makes Honest Admission About Her Harry Potter Role
With a career that stretches back more than 40 years, everyone has a Dame Emma Thompson role they most associate her with. Many of us can't see her without getting a bit choked up thanks to her tear-jerking performance in the festive rom-com Love Actually, while for others, her signature role was in period dramas like Howard's End and Sense & Sensibility (both of which earned her Oscar wins, by the way). Then there are younger millennials who best remember her as Nanny McPhee, while more recently, she gave a chilling turn as the steely MP Vivienne Rook in Russell T Davies' dystopian Years And Years. And, of course, there are thousands around the globe to whom Dame Emma will always be best remembered for her performance as the eccentric and scatty divination professor Sybill Trelawney in the Harry Potter films. However, it seems that the woman herself doesn't quite hold that franchise as dear to her heart as some of her fans. During a recent Q&A at the Locarno film festival, Variety reported Dame Emma as saying of her stint in Harry Potter: 'I don't mean to be rude, but I came in, did the bit with glasses and hair, and left.' The two-time Oscar winner made her debut as Professor Trelawney in the third film, Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, reprising the role twice more in The Order Of The Phoenix and the final film, The Deathly Hallows, part two. Elsewhere in the conversation, Dame Emma also admitted she's surprised at the enduring appeal of Love Actually. 'I think [Dame Emma's character hit] a nerve because we, women, when we are experiencing heartbreak, sometimes we have to hide it,' she said. 'What moves you is not her crying, it's her covering it up, going downstairs and being cheerful.'


Fox News
41 minutes ago
- Fox News
Europe's Best Teams: Where Barcelona, PSG, Liverpool Rank Among Top 20
How do we fill the days until the 2026 World Cup? By keeping up with some of the world's top sides in what will be an action-packed European club season. Three of the continent's Big Five circuits – England's Premier League, Spain's La Liga and Ligue 1 in France – kick off this weekend, with Germany's Bundesliga and Italy's Serie A following on Aug. 22 and 23, respectively. In other countries, domestic league action is already underway. But these are the 20 clubs to watch, loaded with the stars we'll be seeing next summer. Ahead of the top European campaigns kicking off, let's count down the teams who'll shine the brightest. Note: League positions reflect last season's finish. So what if the defending European champions lost decisively to Chelsea in last month's FIFA Club World Cup final? Luis Enrique's PSG is still the team to beat in 2025-26. Luis Enrique returns close to his entire squad from last season's long-awaited triumph, though keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma could leave this month. If he does, the Parisians already have Donnarumma's replacement in French international Lucas Chevalier, who arrived from Lille for $47 million. Last year, the Reds ran away with the Premier League title, besting second-place Arsenal by 10 points. Despite the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota, Liverpool has only gotten better this summer. Arne Slot's side has been the big winner of this transfer window, dropping north of $350 million on backup keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, and forwards Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz. No wonder they're the favorites to retain the English title. Baca was just seconds away from reaching the UEFA Champions League final last season under first-year manager Hansi Flick. This season, the Blaugrana are looking to go at least one step further. Who says they can't? Eighteen-year-old Lamine Yamal is on his way to becoming the world's best player — if he isn't already. Fellow Ballon d'Or candidate Raphinha had 34 goals in all competitions in 2024-25, doubling his previous career-best. Robert Lewandowski, who turns 37 on Aug. 21, remains an elite striker. Pedri runs the show behind them. The rest of the regulars return, too, with forward Marcus Rashford the marquee summer addition. After finishing fourth in the Prem last term, the Blues stunned many by winning the expanded, 32-team Club World Cup in July. Can they harness that momentum and use it to challenge for English and European titles next spring? They've got the firepower. Chelsea already have an emerging superstar in winger Cole Palmer — this season he'll be supported by new recruits like strikers Liam Delap and João Pedro, Pedro's fellow Brazilian attacker Estêvão, and English forward Jamie Gittens. The Premier League runner-up in each of the last three seasons, what Mikel Arteta's team is missing at this point are trophies. Still, Arsenal continues to improve. The Gunners knocked then-Champions League holders Real Madrid out of Europe's top club tournament last April, snaring a convincing 5-1 aggregate win. And they've added real quality this summer in the form of defensive midfielder Martín Zubimendi and forwards Viktor Gyökeres and Noni Madueke. The record 15-time European champs are coming off what, by their standards, was a dreadful 2024-25, with no major titles secured. But Los Blancos still boast one of the deepest, most expensive squads on Planet Fútbol. And Kylian Mbappé & Co. are now led by one of the sport's great up-and-coming coaches in former Real Madrid captain Xabi Alonso, who replaced the legendary Carlo Ancelotti in June. City's unprecedented run of four consecutive Premier League titles came to a halt last season, when Pep Guardiola's side finished third, lost the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace, and were eliminated from European play before the Champions League's round of 16 even began. This team is too good not to bounce back in a big way this year, though — even without club legend Kevin de Bruyne, whose contract wasn't extended. Having reached the UEFA Champions League final in two of the last three seasons, nobody should underestimate the Nerazzurri. Inter added Croatian midfielder Petar Sučić, Brazilian winger Luis Henrique and French striker Ange-Yoan Bonny this summer. Besides veteran forward Joaquín Correa, their most significant departure is manager Simone Inzaghi, who was replaced by former Inter defender Cristian Chivu in June. After losing the German title to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023-24, Bayern reclaimed its status as the Bundesliga's standard-bearer last season, finishing as champs for the 12th time in 13 seasons. Things will be different this year without club legend (and new Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder) Thomas Müller, with Leroy Sané leaving, too. But the $81 million arrival of Colombian winger Luis Díaz from Liverpool will help. Can Atleti end their four-year title drought and beat Barcelona and Real Madrid to La Liga glory this season? Occasionally, Madrid's other team outlasts Spain's double-headed monster. Longtime manager Diego Simeone will be hoping his team is due after a strong summer transfer window which saw $185 million-worth of new talent arrive — including former Villarreal attacker Álex Baena, USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso and Argentine World Cup-winner (and Atlanta United alum) Thiago Almada. Scudetto winners in 2023 and 2025, the Neapolitans are no doubt aiming for similar success in European play this season to celebrate the club's centennial. The arrival of Champions League winner Kevin de Bruyne on a free transfer from Manchester City can't hurt. Neither will forward Noa Lang, who helped PSV reach the knockout stage in each of the last two years. The Magpies eked into the Champions League places last term only because UEFA granted England's top flight one additional spot. Newcastle fans aren't complaining though, though they will be if and when star forward Alexander Isak leaves for Liverpool on the eve of the new season. Juve got the proven, consistent goalscorer they've long needed when the "Old Lady" inked Canadian striker Jonathan David on a free transfer from Lille following the Concacaf Gold Cup. David replaces Randal Kolo Muani, who returned to PSG upon the completion of his loan, in manager Igor Tudor's lineup. The club that helped develop the all-world likes of Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland in recent years has a new batch coming through — one led by midfielder Jobe Bellingham, Jude's younger brother. But most of the vets that took the Black & Yellow to the 2024 Champions League final remain, not least captain Emre Can, playmaker Julian Brandt and Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel. It's hard to believe that the 20-time English champions finished 15th last season, when they also lost the Europa League final to Premier League rivals Tottenham. But the Red Devils added forwards Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško this window, and they should fare better in Ruben Amorim's first full season at the Old Trafford helm. Plenty of big names — think Mbappé, Thierry Henry and George Weah — have come through the Principality over the years. AS Monaco added a few more this summer in former France World Cup winner Paul Pogba and Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati. Both should help in the Champions League, with Les Rouge et Blancs looking to reach the round of 16 for the first time since 2017. The loss of star attractions Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong (both to Liverpool) and manager Xabi Alonso (to Real Madrid) hurts. Same for Odilon Kossounou and Granit Xhaka, who also left this summer. But stout defender Jarell Quansah, fellow $40 million man (and USMNT star) Malik Tillman, and new boss Eric ten Hag should help keep the club near the top of the Bundesliga. As Dutch champs the last two years, PSV has also pushed above its weight in the Champions League, reaching the knockout stages twice and knocking out Italian titans Juventus last season. They lost Tillman, Lang and others this summer, but having USMNT pair Sergiño Dest and Ricardo Pepi back healthy this season could be a coup for coach Peter Bosz. The Champions League-bound Turkish giants made waves this summer by signing prolific 26-year-old Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli for $87 million on a permanent deal, as well as bringing in German winger Leroy Sané for free from Bayern Munich. The Ligue 1 runner-up to PSG last year and three times overall this decade, Marseille is chasing its first domestic title since 2010. The ambition is there, with L'OM dropping almost $90 million on transfers this summer. Yet two potentially huge contributors came for free: former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and USMNT veteran Tim Weah, who previously won a French title with Lille in 2020-21. Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports who has covered United States men's and women's national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him @ByDougMcIntyre.