Disney+ Hotstar has exciting news for cricket enthusiasts across India. The popular streaming platform has announced that it will be offering free streaming of two major cricket tournaments, the Asia Cup and the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, to all mobile phone users accessing Disney+ Hotstar. This move aims to expand the viewership and grow the overall ecosystem of the platform.

Sajith Sivanandan, the head of Disney+ Hotstar, expressed his enthusiasm for this initiative. He stated, "Disney+ Hotstar has remained a pioneer in the rapidly evolving OTT industry in India. Our constant focus on enhancing the viewer experience has allowed us to delight audiences across the region. By making the Asia Cup and ICC Men's Cricket World Cup available to a wider audience, we believe we can further strengthen our position in the market."

The announcement comes on the heels of JioCinema, the streaming service led by the Ambani family, garnering a record number of viewers for the Indian Premier League (IPL) final in 2023. JioCinema, the official streaming partner of the IPL, offered free streaming of the entire cricket tournament. This successful venture underscores the growing popularity of streaming platforms for live sports events.

It is worth noting that Reliance's Viacom18 outbid competitors, including Disney, to secure the digital streaming rights for the IPL from 2023 to 2027 for a staggering $2.9 billion. This acquisition signifies the significant investments being made in the digital streaming landscape and the fierce competition among major players.

Disney+ Hotstar's decision to offer free streaming of the Asia Cup and ICC Men's Cricket World Cup comes at a crucial time as the platform faces a decline in paid subscribers. This strategic move aims to re-engage viewers and attract new users, strengthening Disney+ Hotstar's position as a leading streaming platform in India.