For the second time in a single day, Disney+Hotstar clocked a new global record for live-streaming viewership. The OTT platform raked up 5.3 Cr concurrent viewers, at peak, during the India versus New Zealand World Cup 2023 semi-final match at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday (November 15).
The numbers reached the peak after the Indian cricket team bounced back strongly in the later half of the match as wickets began to fall in quick succession for New Zealand. By the end of the match, the platform’s concurrent viewership settled at 5.2 Cr.
Earlier in the day as well, the platform’s concurrent viewership rose to 5.1 Cr, a number not achieved before.
The platform previously touched 4.4 Cr concurrent viewers on November 5 during a group stage match between India and South Africa.
The record numbers come at a time when Disney is reportedly mulling selling off the entire India operations, including its over-the-top (OTT) platform Disney+ Hotstar. Despite cashing in on the heavy influx of viewers, Disney+ Hotstar has been exploring a sale amid an onslaught from JioCinema and rising competition.
Previously, it was reported that Reliance was also in talks with Disney for a sale as the former was looking to acquire a stake in the latter’s India business in a cash and stock deal. Besides, Disney has also reportedly held talks with the Adani Group, Sun Group and Blackstone to sell off stakes.
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