RCB lifts maiden IPL trophy: JioHotstar records 61.8 cr views

In a historic moment for cricket fans across India, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) lifted their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy after 18 long seasons.

The thrilling final against Punjab Kings (PBKS) not only delivered intense on-field action but also recorded 61.8 crore views on JioHotstar by the end of the match.

It is important to understand here the distinction between viewers and views.

While viewers count is the number of unique individuals who watched the match, views represent the total number of times the content was streamed, including repeat viewings by the same person. The 61.8 crore figure reflects the cumulative views amassed throughout the match.

RCB was the first to bat. At 10.2 overs, with the team at 90 for 2, Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar were at the crease, and JioHotstar had already recorded 20.3 crore views.

Patidar’s wicket fell at 10.5 overs, but the excitement only grew as the innings progressed. By mid-innings, views surged to 32.3 crore, and when RCB finished their innings at 190 for 9, total views reached 34.9 crore.

The chase by Punjab Kings drew even more attention. At 9.2 overs, with PBKS at 80 for 2, viewership jumped to 49.8 crore. The team battled hard but found themselves struggling at 149 for 7, by which time views had crossed 60 crore. 

With seven balls remaining and the score at 161 for 7, the viewership on JioHotstar stood at 60.5 crore. Despite hitting two sixes and two fours in the final over, PBKS could not surpass the target. When the match concluded, the total view count had climbed to a record 61.8 crore.

The emotional climax saw Virat Kohli, the heart of the RCB franchise, drop to his knees and touch his forehead to the ground in celebration, before embracing his teammates. This victory ended a long wait for RCB and their supporters, who had yearned for this moment for nearly two decades.

Last year, audience reach on the official streaming platform - JioCinema - surged by 38 per cent to 620 million, compared to 449 million in the previous season.