RCB's Historic IPL Victory Sets New Viewership Records
RCB's Landmark Triumph Sparks Unprecedented Viewership
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) celebrated their inaugural IPL championship, marking a significant milestone as the match became the most-watched in the tournament's 18-year history.
A Match That Captivated Audiences Nationwide
Virat Kohli, a pivotal figure in RCB's decade-long journey, added an emotional layer to the final match. His longstanding association with the franchise since 2008 has significantly boosted the match's popularity.
Viewership Surge: A Thrilling Finale
The grand finale between RCB and Punjab Kings (PBKS) began with an impressive 4.3 crore views, which escalated as the match progressed. Phil Salt's explosive start drew in more viewers, and Shreyas Iyer's dismissal of Salt further increased the audience count.
By the 11th over, viewership soared to over 11 crore. Kohli's exit at 43 saw the numbers jump to 26.5 crore, while Jitesh Sharma's counterattack pushed the total beyond 30 crore. Following RCB's minor collapse, the viewership peaked at 34.7 crore by the 20th over, concluding their innings at 190 runs with a total of 35 crore viewers.
Krunal Pandya's Impactful Performance
PBKS began their chase aggressively, but Krunal Pandya's early wicket of Prabhsimran Singh shifted the game's momentum. This breakthrough led to a rapid increase in viewership, hitting 50 crore almost immediately.
By the ninth over, RCB chants filled Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, and by the 14th over, the viewership reached an astounding 55 crore. Ultimately, the match concluded with a record-breaking 67.8 crore viewers.
Understanding the Viewership Metrics
It's crucial to recognize that JioHotstar's figures represent total views rather than unique viewers. Each time a viewer accesses the app counts as a separate view, which can inflate the total. Nonetheless, these numbers indicate significant engagement, particularly during key moments like Kohli's dismissal and the final over.
RCB's Digital Dominance in IPL 2025
RCB's victory was part of a record-breaking IPL 2025 season, which saw 4,956 crore minutes of cumulative watch time during the opening weekend alone. The first three matches garnered 137 crore views, reflecting a 54% increase in Connected TV (CTV) consumption and a peak concurrency of 3.4 crore. Compared to the previous season, digital viewership rose by 40%, showcasing the IPL's expanding OTT reach.
Television Ratings Soar
Television audiences mirrored the digital success, with BARC reporting over 25.3 crore viewers during the opening weekend. The total watch time reached an impressive 2,770 crore minutes, marking a 22% increase from IPL 2024.
Global Comparisons: RCB Final Surpasses India-Pakistan Clash
A report highlighted that while the India vs Pakistan match in February attracted 60 crore digital views, the IPL final surpassed this figure. The Champions Trophy Final between India and New Zealand had 6.1 crore simultaneous viewers, but the IPL 2025 final's total of 67.8 crore has set a new benchmark in Indian sports streaming.
A New Era Begins for RCB
After nearly two months and 74 thrilling matches, IPL 2025 crowned RCB as first-time champions. This victory not only ended a long-standing jinx but also showcased unprecedented levels of digital engagement, reaffirming that cricket in India transcends mere sport—it's a deep-seated passion.