NEW DELHI: The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 has achieved remarkable record-breaking numbers, as cricket fans from around the world engage with the largest cricket tournament to date. Several historic moments and extraordinary viewership figures have marked this edition.
The clash between India and New Zealand in Dharamsala on October 22 broke the record for the highest digital concurrency ever recorded during a cricket match. With 43 million concurrent viewers on Disney+Hotstar during the final overs of the game, it surpassed the previous record set during the India vs Pakistan match. This moment marked the highest peak in digital viewership across all formats of cricket.
The World Cup, taking place from October 5 to November 19, has seen fans in India, through its Global Broadcast partner Disney Star, engage with the Men's Cricket World Cup like never before. The live broadcast of the first 18 tournament matches accumulated an impressive 123.8 billion viewing minutes, demonstrating a substantial 43% growth compared to the previous edition held in England and Wales in 2019.
The event has also garnered a staggering 364.2 million viewers tuning in to the live broadcast of the first 18 matches, creating a global sporting spectacle that combines the thrill of one-day cricket with the unique passion for the sport in India and the national pride of all competing nations.
One of the most anticipated moments of the tournament was the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan in Ahmedabad on October 14. It witnessed a peak live concurrency of 76 million on television and 35 million concurrent viewers on digital platforms, underlining the immense interest and excitement that this rivalry generates.
Notably, fans attending the matches in person have contributed to the vibrant atmosphere. Over 542,000 cricket enthusiasts have filled the stadiums up to the mid-way point in the event, a significant increase of 190,000 compared to the equivalent stage in the 2019 edition. This increase reflects the enduring appeal of cricket on a global scale and the enthusiasm it generates among fans.
The ODI World Cup 2023 has unquestionably set new benchmarks in terms of viewership and fan engagement, making it a historic and memorable event in the world of cricket.
(With inputs from IANS)
