IPL Mini-Auction 2024 Smashes Records: Highest Viewership Yet!

The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) Mini-auction roared onto television screens with a record-equalling 22.8 million viewers glued to their seats, marking a 29% surge from the previous year. This stellar viewership on Star Sports matched the highest ever recorded for a ‘mini’ auction in BARC history. The intense bidding war, spanning over 6 hours in Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, also captivated viewers for a record-equalling 0.92 billion minutes, a hefty 57% jump in total watch time compared to 2023.

Star Sports’ meticulous pre-auction coverage across linear and digital platforms, featuring expert analysis and fan activations, undoubtedly fueled the excitement. Extensive lead-up programming on Star Sports, available in 5 languages, primed viewers for the thrilling event.

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This record-breaking viewership builds upon the success of the previous season’s live broadcast, which drew an astounding 505 million unique viewers across the Star network, the highest ever for any IPL edition. An additional 2.2 million viewers tuned in for the comprehensive coverage beyond the live event, including the pre-auction curtain-raiser and live shows surrounding the bidding frenzy.

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Headlines flew as bidding wars erupted for Australian superstars Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who were snapped up by Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively for over 20 Crore each. These explosive moments, along with CSK’s winning bid of 14 Crore for New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, ranked among the 3 most-watched segments of the auction.

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Expressing elation at the IPL Mini-Auction 2024’s viewership triumph, a Star Sports spokesperson stated: “This record-breaking year for Cricket viewership on Star Sports culminates magnificently with the IPL Auction. The phenomenal response underscores the IPL’s enduring allure and bolsters Star Sports’ long-standing association with this marquee event. Integrating fan sentiment into our coverage, aligning with BCCI and IPL teams’ efforts, proved exceptionally successful. This auction’s viewership surge paints a thrilling picture of Star Sports’ IPL 2024 coverage and fuels our confidence in the tournament’s continued growth on television.”

The 2024 IPL Mini-Auction has ignited an inferno of anticipation for the upcoming season, showcasing the unwavering passion of cricket fans. With thrilling bidding wars, record-breaking viewership, and a promise of even more captivating coverage to come, Star Sports has set the stage for an extraordinary IPL 2024.