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
Origen Realty appoints Poulomi Ray as Chief Marketing Officer
Seasoned marketer with nearly two decades’ experience to drive brand strategy for upcoming Gurgaon integrated development.
MUMBAI: Origen Realty has just laid the perfect foundation for its next big chapter and this time the blueprint comes with a marketing masterstroke. The real estate developer has appointed Poulomi Ray as its new chief marketing officer. With close to two decades of experience shaping high-impact brand narratives across the sector, Poulomi brings deep expertise in consumer insights, market evolution and strategic storytelling to the role.
She will lead the company’s overall marketing and brand direction, focusing on visibility, differentiation and market engagement as Origen Realty advances its integrated development plans in Gurgaon, to be rolled out in multiple phases.
Origen Realty has a legacy of 3 plys decades in the construction business and is now entering a fresh phase of growth with this large-scale project.
Commenting on the appointment, Origen Realty Management said, “Poulomi’s appointment aligns with our focus on building a strong, future-facing brand. Her ability to combine strategy with execution will be instrumental as we take the next steps in our journey.”
Poulomi Ray added, “I am incredibly excited to be part of the core leadership team of Origen Realty. The foundation of the brand is built on a legacy of 3 plus decades in the construction business. Now, as we embark on a new journey of an integrated development in Gurgaon in a few phases, I look forward to contributing to the company’s growth through cutting-edge marketing strategies and tech integrations.”
Poulomi previously held key marketing roles at Signature Global, DLF Limited, Paras Buildtech, MGM International USA and Hilton Hotels, among others.
In the competitive real estate landscape, where every project needs a compelling story, Origen Realty has chosen a leader who knows how to build more than just structures, she builds lasting brand connections. With Poulomi at the helm, the company’s Gurgaon vision is set to rise with sharper focus, stronger visibility and a fresh narrative that buyers will remember long after the keys are handed over.
