iWorld
Entertainers Cricket League (ECL) returns, live on Waves OTT
MUMBAI: Cricket. Influencers. A digital audience of 900 million. Welcome to the Entertainers Cricket League (ECL) 2025, where content creators swap ring lights for floodlights and step onto the pitch for an electrifying showdown. After a phenomenal debut season, ECL is back bigger, better, and bolder, running from 5-16 March 2025, with live broadcasts on Prasar Bharati’s Waves OTT platform.
The tournament launches today with a grand opening ceremony at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi, led by Delhi CM Rekha Gupta. The action officially kicks off at 6 pm, with a thrilling opening clash between Haryanvi Hunters and Rajasthan Rangers, setting the tone for two weeks of intense competition.
ECL isn’t just expanding its viewership—it’s expanding its battlefield. This year’s edition welcomes three new teams into the fray:
– Rajasthan Rangers – Led by Youtube sensation Zayn Saifi.
– Kolkata Superstars – Headed by digital entrepreneur Pushkar Raj Thakur.
– Chennai Smashers – Commanded by social media star Mahesh Keshwala
They join returning fan-favourites like Munawar Faruqui, Abhishek Malhan, Elvish Yadav, Sonu Sharma, and Anurag Dwivedi, all of whom are set to mesmerise their massive fan bases both on the field and across social media.
ECL’s partnership with Waves OTT is a game-changer, ensuring that every six, wicket, and nail-biting moment reaches cricket and content fans alike.
“We are thrilled to bring the Entertainers Cricket League live to our viewers on Waves OTT! This season is set to ignite an electrifying showcase of talent, fierce competition, and unparalleled fan energy. With record participation and an unstoppable wave of enthusiasm, we are gearing up for a tournament like never before, and we can’t wait for the action to unfold”, etched Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi.
“We’re thrilled to have Waves, Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform, as our sponsor for ECL Season 2. Their commitment to bringing diverse and engaging content aligns perfectly with our vision for the league”, elated Entertainers Cricket League founder Himanshu Chandnani.
“Having Waves as a sponsor for ECL Season 2 is a great addition. Their support strengthens the league, and we’re looking forward to an exciting season ahead”, added Entertainers Cricket League founder Anil Kumar.
The ECL 2025 final is set for 16 March at 9 pm, promising a blockbuster climax to a tournament that blends the best of cricket, content creation, and fan engagement.
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.
