RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 Final Sets New Viewership Record

In a historic moment for cricket, the IPL 2025 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) has become the most-watched T20 match in the sport’s history. According to official broadcaster JioStar, the championship clash accumulated a staggering 31.7 billion minutes of total watch-time across both television and digital platforms.

RCB, led by a determined Virat Kohli, defeated PBKS by six runs to claim their maiden IPL title, ending a long wait for one of the league’s most popular franchises. The high-octane final saw extraordinary audience engagement, with television coverage via Star Sports reaching 169 million viewers and generating 15 billion minutes of watch-time both record highs for a T20 match. On digital, JioHotstar broke new ground with 892 million video views, 55 million peak concurrent users, and 16.74 billion watch-time minutes, making it the most-watched T20 game ever online.

A LANDMARK SEASON OF UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH

The 2025 edition of the IPL has redefined the boundaries of sports viewership. The tournament recorded over 840 billion minutes of cumulative watch time, setting a new all-time high. Digital platforms saw a major surge, with JioHotstar reporting 23.1 billion views and 384.6 billion minutes of watch-time, representing a 29% year-on-year increase.

This growth was significantly driven by the rapid rise of Connected TV (CTV) consumption, which surged by 49%, indicating a strong shift in audience behaviour toward large-screen digital viewing at home. On linear television, Star Sports maintained a dominant presence with 456 billion minutes of total watch-time and the highest average TV ratings across various demographics.

The season also opened with unprecedented momentum. The first weekend alone, consisting of just three matches, amassed 49.56 billion minutes of watch-time, the highest ever for an IPL opening weekend.

MILESTONES, FIRSTS, AND FANFARE

Beyond the numbers, IPL 2025 will be remembered for its unforgettable moments and milestones. RCB’s long-awaited triumph marked a fairytale ending for the franchise and for Virat Kohli, who finally lifted the coveted IPL trophy. Adding to the season’s legacy was the remarkable performance of 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who became the youngest player in IPL history to score a century.

Reflecting on the unprecedented success, Sanjog Gupta, CEO – Sports and Live Experiences, JioStar, stated, “These incredible numbers are a testament to the power of storytelling in sport and the IPL’s potential for continued growth, even at this scale. Our focus has always been to serve fans across platforms, languages, and formats and the response has been phenomenal.”

JioStar’s extensive and immersive coverage was a major contributor to the season’s reach. With over 25 unique feeds in 12 languages and insights from more than 170 experts including former champions and international legends the IPL 2025 was not just a tournament, but a full-fledged celebration of cricket.