Disney+Hotstar has maintained its supremacy for an impressive 10 consecutive weeks, and the secret lies in the captivating world of live sports. Riding high on the success of the Asia Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, the streaming giant has once again positioned itself at the forefront by offering free live streaming of the Pro Kabaddi League starting December 2.
The strategic move to provide free access to live cricket proved to be a game-changer for Disney+Hotstar, breaking records and capturing the attention of a massive audience. Cricket, being a religion in India, naturally drew in viewers, and the platform smartly leveraged this to its advantage.
Now, as the Pro Kabaddi League gears up for its much-anticipated run on Disney+Hotstar, the platform seems poised for yet another successful inning. Kabaddi, deeply rooted in Indian ethos, has gained immense popularity in recent years, and the Pro Kabaddi League has played a pivotal role in this resurgence. By making the league accessible to viewers for free, Disney+Hotstar aims to replicate the success it achieved with cricket.
To add star power to the league’s promotion, Star Network has pulled out all the stops with a high-budget advertisement featuring Bollywood’s Tiger Shroff, Telugu film star Nandamuri Balakrishna, and Kannada actor Sudeep. This star-studded campaign is expected to create a buzz and draw attention to the upcoming Kabaddi extravaganza.
While the impact on other OTT platforms may not be as pronounced as with cricket, the move is expected to divert a substantial audience towards Disney+Hotstar. It is now the time for JioCinema to come out more innovative.