The 18th edition of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) has roared to life in sensational fashion, smashing past all previous viewership records on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network. With a mind-boggling 4,956 crore minutes of cumulative watch time, IPL 2025 has set an entirely new standard for cricket viewership.
JioHotstar, the tournament’s digital streaming partner, recorded an astonishing 137 crore views over the first weekend alone – the highest in its history. That marks a staggering 35% jump compared to last year. The first three matches of the season saw a peak concurrency of 3.4 crore viewers and racked up 2,186 crore minutes of watch time. A major reason for this surge is the 54% increase in viewership via Connected Television (CTV), which has allowed more fans to experience IPL action on bigger screens with better quality.
But it wasn’t just digital streaming that saw explosive growth – television ratings hit new heights as well. According to BARC data, over 25.3 crore viewers tuned in during the opening weekend, resulting in a whopping 2,770 crore minutes of watch time. That’s a 22% increase from last season. The average TV rating for the first three matches shot up by 39%, while Star Sports, the IPL’s television broadcasting partner, also saw a 14% year-on-year boost, reaching a record 25.3 crore viewers.
Sanjog Gupta, chief executive officer of sports at JioStar, was thrilled with the numbers, saying, “The record-breaking viewership reaffirms IPL’s unparalleled popularity.” He credited JioStar’s vast platform reach and fan-first approach for the tournament’s extraordinary start, adding, “The tournament has started on an extraordinary note with 4,956 crore minutes of cumulative watch time.”
The season’s electric start featured some thrilling encounters. On March 22, Kolkata Knight Riders faced a tough loss at home to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens. The following day, fans were treated to a blockbuster double-header – Sunrisers Hyderabad steamrolled Rajasthan Royals on home turf, while the much-anticipated clash at M Chidambaram Stadium saw Chennai Super Kings dominate Mumbai Indians. With such a record-breaking start, IPL 2025 has already made it clear – this season is going to be bigger, better, and more unmissable than ever.
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