ICC Champions Trophy: 110 million tuned in on TV for first 3 games

As per BARC data, in the ‘male aged 15 and above’ category, the reach stood at 46 million across urban and rural markets

by e4m Staff
Published: Feb 28, 2025 9:57 AM | 2 min read

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has kicked off with a bang, shattering viewership records and highlighting the rapid evolution of India's digital landscape. The first three matches of the tournament have garnered an impressive 110 million TV viewers, showcasing the enduring popularity of cricket in the subcontinent, shows BARC data.

In the ‘male aged 15 and above’ category, the reach stood at 46 million across urban and rural markets. The average TV Rating (TVR), which factors in audience reach and time spent, was 1.21 for the MF 2+ TG category and 1.68 for the Male 15+ ABC TG (target group) category, news reports said quoting BARC data.

The India versus Bangladesh match saw an average TVR of 2.04 for the MF 2+ audience and 2.8 for the M 15+ ABC audience.

As reported earlier, the India vs Pakistan clash amassed a staggering 61.1 crore (611 million) views on JioHotstar, marking a seismic shift in how Indians consume sports content. This represents a dramatic increase from the 2023 India-Pakistan match, which recorded 22.5 crore digital views.

The surge in digital viewership aligns with India's broader digital transformation. By February 2025, India's digital population had swelled to 806 million active users, with over half being active on social media. This digital boom, coupled with the proliferation of affordable smart TVs and improved internet connectivity, has catalyzed the growth of Connected TV (CTV) viewership.

Industry projections like the Pitch Madison Advertising Report suggest that CTV advertising in India could reach between Rs 2,300–2,500 crore by the end of 2025, with 50–60 million households expected to have CTVs. This shift towards digital and CTV viewing is reshaping India's advertising landscape, offering brands new avenues to engage with their target audiences.

As the Champions Trophy progresses, it's clear that while traditional TV still holds sway, digital platforms are rapidly becoming the preferred medium for sports enthusiasts, reflecting India's evolving media consumption habits.