How the perfect pitch was prepared for Cricket World Cup watching
Cricket World Cup 2023.
Four years is a lifetime in the world of technology. In 2019, the World Cup semifinal broke the record for peak concurrency, with 25 million viewers simultaneously streaming the match. Fast forward to 2023, and that number had more than doubled to 59 million for the final between India and Australia. Overall, 295 million-plus live viewers, nearly 11 times Australia’s population tuned in to watch the World Cup.
SEISMIC SHIFTS IN VIEWER ENGAGEMENT
The dramatic surge in viewership and reach speaks to more than just the popularity of cricket in India. It underscores a seismic shift in how technology has pervaded the daily lives of millions.
India’s digital revolution is the backdrop against which this story unfolds. Nearly half of viewers came from tier 2 cities and beyond, dispelling the myth that digital streaming is largely for urban viewers. Remarkably, it wasn’t just GenZ and younger viewers embracing the digital sphere. More than 40% of viewers were 45 years or older, a testament to the willingness of Indians across generations to embrace new technologies.
THE CHALLENGE OF SERVING A MASSIVE CRICKET AUDIENCE
Scaling up for such a massive audience was the biggest challenge. The primary concern was ensuring seamless streaming without lags or interruptions. The Disney+ Hotstar team worked round the clock to optimise streaming quality across various devices, addressing last-mile delivery challenges, and enhancing application experience on a newly re-architected platform while ensuring a consistent and high-quality viewing experience.
Past experience taught us that specific moments — such as the toss, start of the match, when Virat Kohli is nearing a century, nail-biting
