Cricket fever reached an all-time high this summer as the TATA IPL 2025 smashed viewership records like never before. With Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifting the trophy and Virat Kohli getting his hands on that elusive title, the season was already historic. And now the numbers are here to prove it.
Over one billion people watched this year's edition on television and digital platforms, making it the most-watched IPL season to date, according to JioStar, the official broadcast and streaming partner of IPL 2025. With an incredible 840 billion minutes of cumulative watch time, the competition set new records for T20 cricket.
A Final for the Ages
There was more to the RCB vs. PBKS grand finale than just a game. It was a moment that united the whole country. The finale alone registered 31.7 billion minutes of watch time across platforms. On TV, Star Sports reported a reach of 169 million viewers and 15 billion minutes of watch time. Meanwhile, on JioHotstar, the final drew 892 million video views, peaked at 55 million concurrent viewers, and delivered 16.74 billion minutes of watch time. With Kohli finally claiming the IPL title and 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi becoming the youngest ever centurion at this level, the final gave fans stories they’ll talk about for years.
A New Era of Watching Cricket
One of the biggest shifts this season was the massive jump in connected TV viewership. JioHotstar reported a 29 percent year-on-year increase in digital consumption, thanks in large part to a 49 percent rise in large-screen viewing. Fans are no longer just glued to their phones—they’re bringing the action to their living rooms, turning matches into shared family experiences.
Reimagining the Viewing Experience
This season wasn’t just about watching cricket. It was about experiencing it in new ways. JioStar introduced innovations like MaxView 2.0 for swipe-based clip navigation, FAST channels, voice search, and on-demand content in 12 Indian languages. The league was broadcast with over 25 feed variations, featuring everything from 4K visuals and Dolby Atmos audio to VR 360 Live, Indian Sign Language commentary, multi-cam options, and interactive contests like Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan.
Built for the Fans
JioStar's CEO of Sports and Live Experiences, Sanjog Gupta, attributed the record numbers to a thorough comprehension of what fans desire. He clarified that the plan was to attract new viewers while providing devoted fans with engaging experiences. Every audience demographic was served with tailored offerings, ranging from casual co-viewers to ardent fans. Fan involvement never decreased, even after a mid-season suspension. The campaign’s tagline, Yahaan Sab Possible Hai, felt more real than ever.
What’s Next?
JioStar now gears up for the live broadcast of India’s tour of England, kicking off June 20 on JioHotstar. But IPL 2025 will be remembered as a defining chapter in cricket broadcasting. There was more to it than a contest. It was a tribute to the game, its fans, and the technology that enabled it all.