JioCinema, sets a record number of viewers for the Indian Premier League final. About 32 million concurrent viewers tune into the free-to-watch airing of the rain-delay, then shortened, match, said a spokesperson for Viacom18, the joint venture between Ambani and Paramount Global that owns JioCinema.
The close clash, held in the 130,000-person capacity Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, saw veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni lead the Chennai Super Kings to a fifth league title.
Final || GT – 214/4 | 20 Overs || MI – 171/5 | 15 Overs
— 2YoDoINDIA News Network (@2yodoindia) May 29, 2023
Chennai Super Kings Won by 5 Wickets (D/L Method) (Winners)
For more news visit https://t.co/98KV4yIruC#2YoDoINDIA #TATAIPL #IPL2023 #IPL2023Final #CSKvsGT #CSK #GT #ChennaiSuperKings #GujaratTitans pic.twitter.com/13NxQWkJwk
Viewership was likely boost by speculation the final would be 41-year-old MS Dhoni’s last professional appearance, though the former Indian captain signal he’s likely to return to next year’s tournament.
"At least one more season…" 🥹
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) May 29, 2023
MS Dhoni is not done yet 🥳🥳🥳#CSKvGT #TATAIPL #IPLFinal #IPLonJioCinema | @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/oN25C6pzMs
Focus now turns to whether JioCinema can turn the success of free-to-watch IPL into paid subscriptions.
Reliance has aspirations to become a global media behemoth and JioCinema has already start charging for content after acquiring rights to HBO and Warner Bros Discovery shows as it takes on giants like Walt Disney and Netflix in the massive Indian market.
Viacom18 including Disney to clinch the digital rights to IPL, though Disney, which is facing an exodus of paid subscribers bag the television broadcast rights.
With a year until the next IPL season kicks off, it’s unclear whether JioCinema can maintain its growth and scale, Mihir Shah, the India vice president at consultancy Media Partners Asia, said in a report this month.
The IPL has revolutionized cricket since its inception in 2008, bringing Bollywood glamor and American sporting glitz to the stereotypically genteel sport.
