MUMBAI: Media planners and buyers who are sharpening their teeth before going in for the kill over unsold inventory during the cricket coming up in the next few months, pay attention to this piece of information being put out by JioStar.
A neuroscience-backed study conducted by its team in collaboration with Neurons Inc has revealed that advertising during live cricket streaming on mobile drives superior audience engagement, focus, and brand recall compared to other digital platforms, making it the most effective medium for long-format advertising.
The study evaluated identical advertisements across JioStar’s mobile streaming platform and three other digital platforms, including a user-generated video service, an image-centric social media platform, and a community-driven network. The findings demonstrated striking differences in cognitive and behavioural responses. Ads during live cricket on handheld devices achieved 1.7x higher viewer focus compared to user-generated video platforms, 4.1x higher focus than image-centric platforms, and 7.8x higher than community-focused platforms.
Engagement rates were 2x, 2.7x, and 8x higher compared to user-generated, image-centric, and community-focused platforms, respectively. The platform drove a 2.2x increase in both brand favourability and purchase intent, alongside a 2x rise in daily active users and a 4.5x spike in app downloads.
JioStar head of business, sports revenue, SMB & creator Ishan Chatterjee said: “Cricket is more than a sport in India — it’s an emotion that brings millions together. This study underscores how this passion translates into an immersive advertising environment, providing brands with unparalleled opportunities for compelling storytelling. With upcoming marquee events such as the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy and Tata IPL, advertisers can achieve impactful results.”
Neurons Inc Asia MD Shikher Chaudhary added: “Our research confirms that the dynamic nature of live cricket significantly enhances engagement, setting a new standard for digital advertising. The heightened focus and superior recall during live matches make it an ideal platform for impactful long-format ads.”
With the Tata 2025 set to begin in March, JioStar’s OTT mobile platform offers advertisers access to millions of passionate cricket fans. Beyond Tata IPL, brands can leverage high-profile events, including the India-England series, ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, and Tata Women’s Premier League 2025, to deliver powerful, narrative-driven campaigns that resonate well beyond the final ball.