MUMBAI: Star India’s video streaming platform Hotstar reportedly has plans to enable more social conversations during live matches of the Indian Premier League 2019, adding to the Watch’N Play feature it had introduced in 2018, which included gaming.
Hotstar could replicate YouTube’s model in terms of how users can comment on videos, Exchange4Media, quoting an industry source, reports. Fans could also have a chance to interact with experts commentating on the game, taking part in poll questions and bringing in friends to share the experience. They can continue to post emojis on a special feed that the VOD platform had offered in the 2018 season.
During that season, the tournament saw 16.7 million conversations happening across several social media platforms, according to a report by media agency Wavemaker.
The development could help Star add more value for its on-air sponsorship, which could be lower this year due to the IPL and World Cup happening back-to-back. It is likely that advertisers will look to use this as an opportunity to connect with fans either via simple display or through mini games where they can ask questions to know their preferences better.
