The 2026 edition of the TATA IPL has set a new benchmark in the tournament’s history, crossing a cumulative reach of 1.06 billion screens across digital and linear television, according to JioStar. The milestone marks a 7 percent increase over the previous season, underlining the league’s ever-expanding footprint and deepening engagement among viewers across platforms.

According to The Economic Times report, the season has also recorded an average match reach of 277 million, reflecting a 6 per cent growth year-on-year. The numbers highlight not just scale, but consistency in audience interest as the tournament continues to draw viewers across geographies and formats.

A key driver of this growth has been the rapid rise of Connected TV (CTV), which has emerged as the fastest-growing platform this season. CTV reach has grown by 26 percent year-on-year, while consumption has increased by 20 percent. Notably, JioStar said that the total CTV reach achieved during the entire previous season was matched by Game 45 alone this year, signalling a significant shift towards large-screen digital viewing.

On the linear television front, performance has remained robust. Reach at this stage of the tournament is already in line with last year’s numbers and is expected to cross the 500 million mark. JioStar continues to view linear TV as the single largest contributor to overall reach, even as digital platforms gain momentum.

Enhancing the viewing experience this season is the introduction of the ‘Champions Wali Feed’, featuring insights from former cricketers and analysts such as Ravichandran Ashwin, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, and Irfan Pathan. The feed offers expert analysis and behind-the-scenes perspectives alongside live match coverage, adding depth to the broadcast.

From an advertising standpoint, the season has also witnessed strong participation. A total of 22 sponsors have partnered with JioHotstar on digital platforms, while 16 have come on board for the Star Sports Network on linear television. The tournament has also attracted 125 new advertisers compared to last year, indicating growing confidence among brands in IPL’s reach and engagement.

Commenting on the milestone, Anup Govindan, Head of Sales, JioStar – Sports, said the current season is not just building on past momentum but redefining it. He noted that while the scale of over a billion screens is significant, what stands out is the depth of engagement, particularly the sharp acceleration in Connected TV consumption.

With strong growth across both digital and television platforms, IPL 2026 is shaping up as a defining moment in the evolution of sports broadcasting in India, reflecting changing viewer habits and the increasing convergence of screen experiences.