Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 squashes all the television records

The 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) has set new viewership records on the JioStar network, achieving a remarkable 74% growth in TV viewership compared to the previous edition of the series in Australia. The fierce India-Australia rivalry, known as "The Toughest Rivalry," has reached unprecedented heights, with the current series becoming the second most-watched away Test series for India on television. The series garnered a staggering 192.5 million viewers on TV, and across both television and digital platforms, it accumulated an impressive 52 billion minutes of total watch-time. This incredible reach was achieved despite the challenging time difference, which meant the matches were scheduled at sub-optimal hours for Indian audiences.

The 2024-25 BGT now ranks as the second most-watched Test series ever on Indian television, a notable achievement given the competition from both home and away series. The top spot for the most-viewed Test series also belongs to this fierce rivalry, with the 2017 Border Gavaskar Trophy holding the record for the most-watched Test series in Indian history. The immense popularity of the 2024-25 BGT reflects the growing appeal of Test cricket and the enduring passion that fans hold for the India-Australia rivalry.

The five-language live broadcast of the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy brought to life cinematic moments, dramatic performances, and intense competition between India and Australia. It captivated audiences and saw a remarkable 49% increase in TV watch-time compared to the 2020 edition of the series. The viewing experience was enriched by an exceptional lineup of Indian cricketing experts, including Cheteshwar Pujara, Irfan Pathan, Sunil Gavaskar, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Vijay, and Ravi Shastri, as well as prominent Australian voices like Adam Gilchrist, Justin Langer, and Matthew Hayden. The broadcast's storytelling was further elevated with world-class neutral commentators, such as Mark Nicholas and Wasim Akram. They joined Star Sports' renowned presenters Jatin Sapru and Mayanti Langer, along with creators Sahiba Bali and Aakash Gupta, to deliver an immersive and comprehensive cricketing experience that engaged fans from both nations. The strategic mix of talent added to the cultural and competitive significance of the series.

“We are proud to have institutionalised 'The Toughest Rivalry' as a unique descriptor of India-Australia matches. After the success of establishing 'The Greatest Rivalry' as the universally accepted nomenclature for India-Pakistan clashes, this was the next step in 'eventification' of another key rivalry,” said Sanjog Gupta, CEO Sports, Jio Star.

“The coverage of BGT 2024-25 also demonstrated our commitment to delivering a world class on-screen sporting experiences to millions of fans. From a brand-new design package to the advent of new cameras, we strived to provide a deeply immersive experience to sports fans. We are proud that our Hindi coverage garnered appreciation from the Indian diaspora across the world and are grateful to Cricket Australia for their trust and collaboration, which has been instrumental in bringing 'The Toughest Rivalry' alive in such a spectacular manner,” he added.

The Star Sports Network’s comprehensive marketing campaign, ‘The Toughest Rivalry,’ helped promote the Australian summer and high-quality broadcasts beginning in September 2024, significantly boosting viewership. This campaign was complemented by exclusive interviews with Australian stars like Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, and Usman Khawaja. Additionally, the network produced the critically acclaimed docuseries ‘Boiling Point,’ which chronicled the iconic 2008 tour and highlighted the intensity of the India-Australia rivalry.

To enhance the fan experience, Star Sports Network offered immersive storytelling through expert commentary in multiple languages—English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. The compelling narratives and in-depth coverage celebrated this historic rivalry, offering viewers a closer connection to the action while capturing the essence of the long-standing competition between the two nations. This multi-faceted approach helped create an unforgettable experience for cricket fans across India and beyond.