Latest news with #KiranMani
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indian Premier League 2025 Launch on JioStar Smashes Viewership Records
Indian media powerhouse JioStar is celebrating a jaw-dropping victory of its own after the opening weekend of cricket's Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 shattered viewership records across both digital and traditional platforms. The 18th edition of the wildly popular cricket tournament kicked off with unprecedented audience numbers, amassing 49.56 billion minutes of cumulative watch time across JioHotstar's streaming platform and the Star Sports Network. Advertisement More from Variety Digital viewership on JioHotstar jumped 40% compared to last season's opening, powered by a 54% surge in connected TV consumption. The platform registered 1.37 billion views, reached a peak concurrency of 34 million simultaneous viewers, and racked up 21.86 billion minutes of watch time from just the first three matches. Television metrics were equally impressive. According to BARC data, the opening weekend drew over 253 million viewers to their TV screens, with 27.7 billion minutes of watch time – representing a 22% year-over-year increase. The average television viewership rating (TVR) skyrocketed by 39% compared to last season's opening. 'The record-breaking viewership across digital and TV platforms over the opening weekend of IPL 2025 reaffirms the tournament's unmatched popularity bolstered significantly by the wide reach of our platforms and our commitment to creating deeper fan connections, in turn redefining how India experiences sports,' said Sanjog Gupta, CEO – sports, JioStar. Advertisement JioStar's digital chief, Kiran Mani, added: 'IPL 2025 is setting a new benchmark for how India engages with live sports and entertainment at an unmatched scale. The opening weekend showcased the power of innovation in creating richer, more interactive experiences, allowing fans to connect with the game like never before.' JioStar has reimagined cricket viewing with a multi-dimensional presentation featuring 25+ feeds in 12 languages across both platforms, supported by more than 170 experts. JioHotstar has integrated interactive features including live chats, polls, predictions, and virtual watch parties, transforming passive viewing into a community experience. For the 2025 season, JioStar is bringing back the popular digital-exclusive 'Hangout feed' with commentary from creators and stand-up comics. They've also introduced 'Motu Patlu Presents Super Funday,' an entertainment feed targeting younger audiences and families. A second-screen engagement feature allows TV viewers who miss key moments to scan a QR code for instant access to highlights on JioHotstar. Advertisement Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
JioHotstar Reaches 100 Million Subscribers, Transforming India's Streaming Market
Streamer JioHotstar has surpassed 100 million subscribers, the company revealed Thursday, marking a significant development in India's digital entertainment sector. The milestone underscores the platform's successful strategy in converting streaming services from a premium offering to an essential component of daily media consumption for many Indian viewers. The achievement reflects the company's approach to content accessibility through strategic pricing models and telecommunications partnerships that have expanded its reach across the country. More from Variety India's Champions Trophy Cricket Triumph Delivers Record Numbers for JioHotstar Venkatesh's 'Sankranthiki Vasthunam' Powers Indian Box Office to $116 Million in January - Global Bulletin India's JioStar Launches Unified Streaming Platform JioHotstar, Eyes Billion-Screen Reach The streaming service has established itself particularly in sports broadcasting, securing rights to major cricket tournaments including ICC events, the Indian Premier League (IPL), and the Women's Premier League. JioHotstar has implemented technical innovations in its sports coverage, including 4K ultra-HD streaming, AI-enhanced analytics, real-time statistical displays, interactive features, multi-camera perspectives, and voice command functionality. These technologies have been deployed during recent major sporting events such as the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 and the current IPL 2025 season. JioHotstar's content portfolio has been instrumental in its subscriber growth. The platform offers what it describes as the world's most extensive selection of television programming, a comprehensive Hollywood library, digital specials in multiple Indian languages, year-round unscripted content, and 'Sparks,' a recent initiative featuring India's popular content creators. The platform has extended its live streaming capabilities beyond traditional sports broadcasting to include cultural events, notably streaming Coldplay's 'Music of the Spheres' concert and 'Mahashivratri: The Divine Night,' which featured ceremonies from over 20 Jyotirlinga temples across India. 'We have always believed that world-class entertainment should be accessible to all, and crossing 100 million subscribers is a testament to that vision,' said Kiran Mani, CEO of digital at parent company JioStar. 'This milestone not only underscores India's limitless potential but also strengthens our commitment to pioneering category-first experiences at an unprecedented scale.' JioStar was formed through the $8.5 billion merger of Disney's Star India with Reliance's Viacom18 and streaming platforms JioCinema and Hotstar. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More
