MUMBAI: What might have been. Asia Cup 2022 host broadcaster Star Sports has released viewership data from the first six games of the ongoing tournament and no prizes for guessing that it was the high-octane Super Four clash between India and Pakistan on Sunday August 28th that pulled in the highest numbers.
The blockbuster clash that saw India come out winners recorded a cumulative reach of 133 million* and registered 13.6 billion minutes*, making it the highest rated T20I ever (outside of World Cup matches). For the record, India and Pakistan were facing each other after over 10 months since the two sides clashed in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
However, the subsequent sixes and sevens performances by Rohit Sharma’s Team India against arch rivals Pakistan and then Sri Lanka means that a potential blockbuster payday for Star Sports has been ruled out. Sunday’s Asia Cup final will be between “hosts” Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Coming back to the viewership data, as per Star Sports, 176 million* viewers tuned in to watch the first six games of the tournament.
In the lead-up to the Asia Cup 2022, Star Sports released a series of activations to capture the attention of viewers. While the #GreatestRivalry campaign exemplified the emotions, passion and pride of an Indian fan, a host of programming and amplification initiatives added to the overall fandom and fervor for the tournament.
Star Sports was also instrumental in bringing two of the biggest legends – Ravi Shastri and Wasim Akram – together after almost a decade to curate a LIVE ‘Shaz and Waz’ show. Additionally, a special show ‘Virat: Heart To Heart’ featuring King Kohli became the most candid interview that the Indian legend has ever delivered.
Team India’s next series will be at home as they host ICC T20 World Cup champions Australia in a 3-T20I series that gets underway on September 20th 7.30 PM, LIVE & Exclusive on the Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar.
*: BARC data for 2+ U+R- Star Sports Network + DD Sports
