Brands able to rationalise expenditure through focused spending this IPL: R Venkatasubramanian of Havas Media India

R Venkatasubramanian says, "Despite this being JioCinema’s first season with IPL, brands have expressed substantial confidence in the platform. The number of advertisers has increased compared to the past season. Further, the platform has been offered free to subscribers, which opened a big opportunity for brands to try advertising in cricket and on a digital platform."

JioCinema has encouraged smaller brands with limited spends to advertise in IPL on digital, according to the president – investments at Havas Media India.

Brands with lesser investments can also be present on IPL on digital: Starcom India’s Navin Lalchandani

As per Navin Lalchandani, "Digital helps in sharp targeting and gives scale to brands which, in turn, reduces the wastage of reaching out to not-so-important markets, and brands with lesser investments can be present on IPL to target a few key markets."

Digital advertising dominates IPL, pushing ROI, reducing waste and making way for new brands.

IPL on digital fuels rise of connected TV; language streams major wow-moment for advertisers

The buzz score for IPL 2023 season 16 reached 484 million, surpassing the 334 million in IPL 2022. The primary reason for this surge was the emergence of several new players who showcased their talents, delivering match-winning performances and leaving a lasting impact. (Image by @CricCrazyJohns via Twitter)

Find out how brands are using the cricket juggernaut to reach audiences.

IPL’s free streaming on digital has given a lot of firepower to advertisers

Sidharth Singh, co-founder, CupShup, an online marketing firm, talks about advertisers witnessing favourable returns on investment on digital spends, leveraging platforms, tailored strategies and more.

The co-founder of CupShup says IPL on digital this season is seeing reduction in wastage due to factors like vernacular commentary option and more engagement embedded into the live matches.

JioCinema to grab two-thirds of total IPL AdEx this season

According to BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) sponsorship guidelines, highest bid submitted by the parties are subject to Tata Sons Private Limited exercising its ‘Right to Match’, wherein BCCI is required to notify Tata of the highest bid amount (highest bid) received for the Title Sponsorship Rights. (Image source: Twitter - @IPL)

This season, the number of sponsors during IPL’s digital streaming has reached 26, which is the highest ever for any sporting tournament.

IPL on digital ensures laser sharp targeting for brands, says DDB Mudra’s Chirag Bhatia

DDB Mudra Group's Chirag Bhatia says, "The IPL product offering overall has evolved over the years with the slicing and dicing that is possible on digital for both viewers and advertisers. For viewers, things like commentaries in 13 languages and various camera angle options are amazing. For advertisers the option of being able to choose from various cohorts ensures a better bang for their buck."

Chirag Bhatia, senior VP – Digital, DDB Mudra Group talks about advertisers seeing good ROI and reduced ad spend waste in IPL 2023 on JioCinema.

Star Sports lands in boycott controversy over comedian Munawar Faruqui’s presence in IPL

Munawar Faruqui and others were arrested for the alleged offences punishable under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including section 295-A which deals with deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class.

Stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui, who was arrested and released on bail in 2021 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, featured in Star Sports’ coverage of the May 12 IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. His presence led several Twitter users to call for boycott of Star Sports India.

IPL will keep growing on digital medium with the shift happening from TV’s pie: Sangam Nayal, Dentsu

Video views for IPL on JioCinema in the first weekend alone have eclipsed entire IPL season views on Disney+ Hotstar and ICC World Cup 2022, says Sangam Nayal.

Dentsu Creative’s Sangam Nayal shares insights on the effectiveness of connected TV advertising during the IPL, the shift from linear TV to CTV, and the reduction in wastage of ad spend on digital platforms.

How IPL 2023 became a thriving democracy of brands

Each proposition being unveiled this year has been carefully curated to enhance the brand’s proposition and increase the potential of scale and targeting possibilities they can extract on digital. (Image sourced via Twitter - @IPL)

It wouldn’t be surprising if Digital becomes the mother play of it all, and television regresses into the status of a niche-play. In the bargain every brand can advertise.