iWorld
Nexstar Media & Fox Broadcasting extend network pacts, add OTT dist. through ’19
MUMBAI: Nexstar Media Group announced today that it entered into a long-term affiliation agreement Fox Broadcasting Company (“Fox”) covering its 17 full power and 2 low power owned or operated stations through 31 December, 2019. In addition, the Company has reached an over-the-top (“OTT”) master agreement with Fox, as well as specific agreements to launch on all the new internet-delivered programming services already distributing Fox programming.
Separately Fox Broadcasting Company extended the affiliation agreements for six stations owned by Mission Broadcasting, Inc., three stations owned by Marshall Broadcasting, Inc., one station owned by Shield Media, LLC, one station owned by White Knight Broadcasting, Inc. and one station owned by Super Towers, Inc., which are operated by Nexstar Media and these 12 stations have also entered into an over-the-top (“OTT”) master agreement with Fox, as well as individual opt-in agreements with the aforementioned new internet-delivered programming services.
Nexstar Media Group chairman, president and CEO Perry A. Sook stated, “Our new agreement reflects the complementary value that Fox’s programming brings to our viewers and stations when combined with Nexstar’s unique, locally-produced news programming and other content. Fox’s programming, including highly-rated sports content such as the NFL, MLB and NASCAR and scripted primetime shows including Empire and The X-Files, are popular with our viewers and our affiliation with FOX supports our goals for delivering great entertainment and information to viewers and advertisers anywhere, anytime and on any device, while creating a new revenue stream for Nexstar related to the OTT master agreement.”
Fox Networks Group president of distribution Michael Biard stated, “We are pleased to launch on emerging distribution services in all 31 Fox-affiliated markets. Our new agreements with Nexstar are an important part of our mutual efforts to extend audience reach while reflecting the value of our programming within the overall Fox network-affiliate relationship. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Perry and his exceptional team.”
iWorld
T20 World Cup ’26: India–England semi-final sets global streaming record of 619 million views on JioHotstar
India–England semi-final records 65.2 million peak streams
MUMBAI: The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 set a new milestone in global sports streaming, as the India–England semi-final drew record digital audiences on JioHotstar.
The match on 5 March registered 65.2 million peak concurrent viewers, the highest ever recorded for a live event on any streaming platform worldwide. The semi-final also generated 619 million views, making it the most streamed T20 international match in history.
The landmark audience numbers were driven largely by viewers in India, setting a record achieved within a single market, rather than through aggregated viewership across multiple countries.
The high-scoring encounter between India national cricket team and England cricket team produced 499 runs across both innings, fuelling widespread fan engagement across platforms.
According to the International Cricket Council, the digital record surpassed the previous global benchmark of 65 million concurrent viewers, set in November 2024 by another international streaming platform.
Across television and digital platforms combined, the semi-final reached more than 320 million viewers, while total watch time exceeded 23 billion minutes, making it the most watched T20 international match ever.
“This World Cup demonstrates the immense passion of cricket fans and the progress made in bringing the game closer to audiences worldwide,” said ICC chairman Jay Shah.
“This moment reflects the scale of cricket fandom in India and the technological capability required to serve hundreds of millions of viewers simultaneously.”
JioStar vice-chairman Uday Shankar, said the audience surge underscored the future of large-scale digital entertainment.
“One in every three Indians tuned in to watch the second semi-final. Delivering such an experience at scale requires the very best of technology,” he said.
The 619 million views during the match also eclipsed the 533 million views recorded during the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
With the final yet to be played, the 2026 tournament has already set multiple benchmarks in audience reach and digital engagement.
India will face the New Zealand national cricket team in the final on 8 March at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar.
