iWorld
DocuBay inks acquisition deal with US-based Big Media
MUMBAI: DocuBay, the premium membership video-on-demand streaming service by IN10 Media Network, signed a global acquisition deal with US-based Big Media, a leading independent content production and distribution studio. The acquired documentary films launch DocuBay’s latest category or ‘Bay’ called TechBay, which deals with a broad range of technological advancements including the fascinating and very topical issues of artificial intelligence, space technology, and cutting-edge medical developments, among others. The licensed titles and new TechBay category are now available for global streaming on DocuBay (along with the recently announced CrimeBay) in 180+ countries, with the app available on platforms such as the App Store, Google Play, Fire TV, MiTV, and Apple TV, among others.
Notable titles acquired include:
-Germ Warfare: The Battle Against Superbugs analyses how science is fighting the rapidly emerging threat of antibiotic-resistant superbugs
-AI or Artificial Intelligence: Creating the Code for Consciousness questions whether AI can be taught the complexities of human behavioural norms
-Life Beyond Earth looks at the possibility of life evolving in the oceans of distant worlds including places within our own solar system
-The Next Great Extinction Event explores whether Earth is headed for another mass extinction because of human interference.
DocuBay content acquisition head Adita Jain stated: “We’ve been really looking forward to launching a category on technology, and big media helped us realise this effort. Offering fresh, relevant content through categories like the new TechBay is critical to continually engage viewers. We have more new bays in store and can’t wait to share them with DocuBay’s global community of documentary film fans.”
Sales & acquisitions senior director Shivani Verma stated: "Our association with DocuBay expands the availability of Big Media special features to audiences around the world. With this partnership, Big Media will be able to serve passionate audiences worldwide with content that inspires, informs and entertains."
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.
