IPL TV viewership increased: 21% more viewers than last season in 5 weeks

In the first 5 weeks of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, 451 million (45.1 crores) people watched matches on TV, which is a 21% increase compared to the entire previous season. Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) confirmed this in its latest report.
As per the data, this season of IPL, which was played by TV broadcaster Disney Star, recorded 266 billion (2660 crore) minutes of watch time in 48 matches played in five weeks. This is the second-highest watch time ever except during the time of Kovid.
As per BARC data, there has been a 29% increase in TV ratings for the first 48 matches. While the reach of HD channels has increased to 86 million (86 million), which is 3.4 times more than last year. According to Disney Star's IPL broadcaster, the highest-ever reach was recorded in Hindi-speaking markets. The TV broadcaster also recorded the second-best-ever reach in Delhi, Mumbai, and Karnataka.
Two different media networks are broadcasting the 16th edition of IPL. Reliance's Jio Cinema has the digital rights and Star Sports has the television rights. Disney Star bought the TV rights of the Indian subcontinent for Rs 23,575 crore.
While Viacom18 (Jio Cinema) bought the digital rights of the Indian subcontinent for Rs 20,500 crore and the non-exclusive digital rights of select 98 matches for Rs 3,258 crore. Viacom 18 is also showing IPL matches for free on Jio Cinema. While Star is taking money from its users to subscribe to the channel.