Sports
T20 WC 2026 hits sixes on opening day viewership
14.7 bn minutes consumed as India win sparks 81 per cent digital surge.
MUMBAI: Cricket fever has hit fever pitch right from ball one, with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 delivering the most explosive opening day ever seen on JioStar’s digital and TV combo. Total viewing time across JioHotstar and the Star Sports network rocketed 59 per cent compared to the 2024 edition, clocking a staggering 14.7 billion minutes on day one, the biggest launch in T20 World Cup history.
As India launched their title defence with a solid win over the USA, JioHotstar alone pulled in a reach of 101.9 million viewers, soaring 81 per cent higher than the previous tournament’s opener.
The India-USA clash was the real crowd-puller: linear TV ratings jumped 41 per cent, while digital reach nearly doubled (up 98 per cent) against India’s first game of 2024 versus Ireland.
JioStar CEO of sports Ishan Chatterjee pointed to the multi-language coverage in nine tongues and the high-voltage matches as key hooks keeping fans glued from the first over.
ICC chief commercial officer Anurag Dahiya hailed the surge as proof of the powerhouse partnership with JioStar, delivering top-tier cricket that taps into India’s boundless passion for the game.
Pre-tournament buzz built nicely with campaigns like the “Champions Backing Champions” film featuring India’s victorious women’s team cheering on the men plus Rohit Sharma’s rallying cry to “Repeat History and Defeat History.”
On-screen, over 130 experts bring analysis in nine languages, while JioHotstar spices things up with Maxview (in English and Hindi on mobile) and Indian Sign Language for India matches and knockouts.
Sponsors ranging from Thums Up and OpenAI to Emirates, Sting, Mahindra, Apollo Tyres, Amul, Hyundai, Google Pixel and more are riding the wave of this massive, engaged audience.
With the tournament just getting started, the numbers suggest this edition could keep rewriting the script for cricket consumption in the digital age, one six at a time.
Sports
SJFI Golden Jubilee convention returns to Delhi
Hero MotoCorp titles four-day event from March 13-16 with 23 brand partners.
MUMBAI: Delhi’s ready to host the biggest sports media party in 50 years because when SJFI turns golden, even the headlines get a standing ovation. The Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) is bringing its National Convention back to the capital for the first time in over two decades, and this edition is celebrating its Golden Jubilee in style. Hosted by the Delhi Sports Journalists Association (DSJA) from March 13-16, 2026, the four-day event has secured Hero Motocorp as title sponsor, underscoring strong corporate confidence in India’s premier gathering of sports media professionals.
Hero Motocorp executive vice president for global business & product planning Sanjay Bhan said, “Promoting sporting excellence across disciplines has been an integral part of our journey. We are delighted to be the Title Sponsor of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of SJFI, an opportunity to support athletes and celebrate the fraternity that chronicles India’s sporting journey.”
The convention has attracted an impressive lineup of 23 partners, including TCM Sports, Sony Sports Network, Punjab Kings, Red Bull, Delhi Capitals, DDCA, Jindal Steel, Rajasthan United FC, Archery Association of India, Svayam, RPL, PEFI, SG Sports, WordsWork Communications Consulting, Modern Pythian Games, JK Tyre, DDA, Artsmith Concepts & Vision, Adimazes, Aabhawater, VIDA and ESGF. Strong backing also comes from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and International Sports Press Association (AIPS).
DSJA Secretary Sabi Hussain said, “Hosting the 50-year milestone celebration is a huge honour. The incredible backing from our brand partners shows how powerful the Indian sports media network has become.”
TCM Sports managing director Lokesh Sharma added, “It is an honour for TCM Sports to host the SJFI Convention 2026. Journalists have a vital role in documenting the history of sport and bringing stories to millions of fans. We are proud to welcome distinguished members of the sports media fraternity.”
The packed programme blends professional dialogue with sporting action and networking. Highlights include a Grand Sports Conclave hosted by TCM Sports featuring top administrators and Olympic icons, the JK Bose Inter-Zonal T20 Cricket Tournament, AC Bali Table Tennis Tournament, basketball, futsal and golf putting competitions, family and youth engagement activities such as the Modern Pythian Games and Red Bull gaming station, plus a prize distribution ceremony with distinguished dignitaries.
In a milestone year for Indian sports media, the Golden Jubilee convention isn’t just marking 50 years, it’s proving that when journalists, brands and sport come together, the real winners are the stories that keep inspiring the nation.
