Mumbai: Pro Kabaddi League – 12 (PKL) began with a power-packed opening on the JioStar network, recording an Opening Day TVR higher than last year’s. On digital, the league achieved a 3X jump in reach, while total watch-time across JioStar platforms surged by 22%, signaling a stellar start to the new season.
The opening night treated fans to edge-of-the-seat action, with Tamil Thalaivas defeating Telugu Titans in the ‘Southern Derby’, while Puneri Paltan claimed a dramatic victory over Bengaluru Bulls. The second game of the night created history with the first-ever tie-breaker under the newly introduced rule, underscoring the unpredictability and thrill of the season.
Adding to the spectacle, Bhojpuri superstar Ravi Kishan debuted as the voice of the new Bhojpuri commentary feed, while the National Sports Day celebrations in Vizag brought together sporting icons including Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Paralympics medalist Yogesh Kathuniya, track-and-field star Jyothi Yarraji, hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay, and badminton stalwart Pullela Gopichand.
“We are thrilled with the response to the opening night of Pro Kabaddi League – 12. The Opening Day growth across TV and digital is a testament to the league’s popularity and the deep connection fans have with the sport. The dialled-up aggression and intensity this season have been another big draw for viewers, with the new tie-breaker rule already adding to the drama. Altogether, these factors clearly signal that kabaddi has cemented its place as a premier sporting property in India,” said Siddharth Sharma, Head – Audience Engagement, Viewership, and Monetization Initiatives – Sports, JioStar.
Season 12 also introduced immersive broadcast innovations, including two new dugout views, a split-screen option combining live action with revival sequences, and a first-of-its-kind ‘Referee Cam’ providing real-time bodycam perspectives to heighten fan engagement.
With over 70% of matches already ending within a five-point margin and four heading into tie-breakers, the intensity of PKL-12 has set a new benchmark.
Backing this excitement is strong advertiser support from marquee brands such as Shriram Finance Limited, UltraTech Cement, Birla Tilestix, Red Bull, UPI, Bgauss, SBI, and Tata Ace Pro.
