Mumbai: Star Sports’ coverage of The Championships, Wimbledon 2024 has created viewership history, becoming the most-watched Grand Slam ever in India. Total watch time for the tournament increased by 40% compared to the previous edition and clocked a record 930 million minutes. The 2024 edition of the “Grandest Slam” attracted 36.3 million viewers, representing a 176% increase compared to the 2023 edition, according to the latest data from BARC. The newly launched Hindi coverage reached 18.4 million unique viewers and contributed significantly to the growth of viewership in Hindi-speaking markets like Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP/Uttarakhand, MP/Chhattisgarh, and Bihar/Jharkhand.
Star Sports Select 1 and Star Sports Select 2 – Disney Star’s premium sports channels for core viewers – also watched 106 minutes of the tournament on an average and clocked 7% growth in overall watch-time.
Disney Star also registered the highest-ever ratings for Men’s and Women’s Finals, across any Grand Slam. The gentlemen’s singles final, featuring a much-hyped contest between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, became the highest-rated men’s Grand Slam final, with a 22% increase in TVR from the previous best Grand Slam Final. The ladies’ singles final between Barbora Krejcikova and Jasmine Paolini also set a new benchmark, with a 91% increase in TVR compared to the previous best edition, making it the highest-rated women’s Grand Slam final.
Sanjog Gupta, Head – Sports, Disney Star, said, “Star Sports has taken the tradition and prestige associated with Wimbledon to new viewers this year. Our production efforts entailing live coverage in Hindi, programming efforts entailing improved surround programming and highlights in Telugu and Kannada and marketing efforts entailing a consideration-driving 360 degree campaign have piqued the interest in the ‘Grandest Slam’, fuelling its growth. The enhanced viewing experience served to Tennis fans and viewers of Star Sports Select network has also fuelled a significant boost in engagement metrics.”
Usama Al-Qassab, AELTC Commercial and Marketing Director, All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), said, “Broadening our audience in India is key for Wimbledon to achieve its global targets. Disney Star is a critical partner and has contributed significantly to the exponential growth of the Wimbledon brand which has never been stronger in India. We look forward to building on those results in 2025.”
Statemen issued by the broadcaster stated that Indian legend and Tennis Hall of Famer, Vijay Amritraj provided expert insights on the matches and engaged with the biggest celebrities building the Indian context for the tournament including Sachin Tendulkar, Aamir Khan, Rohit Sharma, Sidharth Malhotra, and Kiara Advani. The surround programming shows like Wimbledon Daily Live, Wimbledon Daily Review, and Wimbledon Heroes witnessed a growth of 231% in reach and 71% in consumption compared to the previous edition. The shows and packaged highlights in Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada reached out to an additional 14 million viewers who sampled the marquee property for the first time. The gripping action on the grass courts notwithstanding, Wimbledon 2024 on Disney Star delivered a viewing experience like no other. Star Sports had six sponsors on board for The Wimbledon Championships 2024 – Jaquar, ICICI Prudential, Amul, Castrol Edge, OnePlus, and LIC.
Source: BARC data for 2+U+R
