Disney+ Hotstar's Record-Breaking 5.9 Crore Viewers

India witnessed a spectacular display of cricket during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, and while the trophy eluded the nation, Disney+ Hotstar clinched a global triumph with a historic 5.9 crore concurrent viewership during the finals. Mukund Acharya, Head of Technology at Disney+ Hotstar, unravels the technological marvel that powered this unprecedented achievement.

Acharya reveals that Disney+ Hotstar foresaw a surge in viewership during critical matches and undertook meticulous preparations to guarantee an uninterrupted streaming experience. The platform introduced innovative features, including an optimized data saving mode for high-quality streaming with minimal mobile data usage. The vertical MaxView mode, developed in collaboration with the International Cricket Council (ICC), facilitated on-the-go streaming and contributed to the platform's soaring popularity.

AI-powered video clarity enhancements, live match feeds, and interactive scorecards further enriched the viewing experience for millions of Indian cricket enthusiasts. Acharya emphasizes the team's dedication to optimizing streaming quality across devices, resolving last-mile delivery challenges, and enhancing application performance on a revamped platform.

Stress-testing the system was a pivotal step in preparing for potential usage scenarios during matches. Game days and mock drills were utilized to replicate scenarios, enabling engineers to fine-tune the platform. Acharya highlights the platform's proactive approach in investing in home-grown technologies to ensure high-quality streaming experiences tailored to diverse devices, user locations, and preferences.

Challenges such as India hosting the event, matches available for free on mobile, and a surge in smartphone users compared to 2019 were addressed by Disney+ Hotstar. The platform collaborated closely with tech partners to enhance its capabilities, eliminating streaming lag or disruptions. Prioritizing democratizing streaming access, Disney+ Hotstar ensured users across India could enjoy an optimal experience, regardless of their location, device, or reliance on mobile data.

Unique solutions, including customized data saver modes, the vertical MaxView format for mobile users, and innovative production techniques like single-player frames and split screens, set Disney+ Hotstar apart in the streaming landscape. Acharya underscores the platform's end-to-end control, owning the entire production, transmission, encoding, and streaming process within the network. This tight integration loop enables agility and fosters innovations that optimize the overall streaming experience.

In the competitive realm of cricket streaming, Disney+ Hotstar's historic viewership stands as a testament to its technological prowess and commitment to delivering a seamless, immersive experience for cricket enthusiasts across the nation.