Our Bureau
Mumbai
The IPL 2026 kicked off with a bang, reaching over 515 million viewers across TV and digital platforms in its opening weekend. This record-breaking number came from the first two matches, broadcast on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar.
Both games featured thrilling 200-plus run chases that kept fans glued to their screens. The combined watch-time hit 32.6 billion minutes, up 26% from the opening two matches of the last season. On connected TV (CTV), reach grew by 30%, while concurrency jumped 61%. Linear TV saw a 24% rise in TVR over previous years.
JioHotstar, the official broadcaster, shared these stats in a release. The high-scoring wins boosted engagement, making it the best opening weekend ever for the ten-team league. Matches included RCB vs SRH and MI vs KKR, drawing massive crowds online and on air.
This surge shows IPL’s growing pull in India. Digital platforms led the charge, with mobile viewing at the forefront. Experts say free streaming on JioCinema since 2023 has opened doors for millions more fans.
IPL 2026 looks set for even bigger numbers ahead. With stars chasing big totals, expect non-stop excitement through the season. Fans are already buzzing about playoffs.
