In a groundbreaking study by Ormax Media, the landscape of sports fandom in India is meticulously mapped out in The Ormax Sports Audience Report: 2024. This extensive research, conducted from November 2023 to January 2024, surveyed 12,000 individuals across both urban and rural landscapes of India, making it the largest sports research endeavor in the country to date.
India’s Sports Fandom unvelied: Has 678 million sports audiences; Cricket, Football & Kabaddi are the most-watched sports
The report delves into an impressive array of 21 sports, covering 53 tournaments and 52 clubs & franchises, offering a panoramic view of the sports viewing habits and preferences of the Indian audience. With an astonishing estimated sports fan base of 678 million, the report highlights Cricket, Football, and Kabaddi as the triumvirate at the helm of India’s sports viewership, boasting audiences of 612 million, 305 million, and 208 million respectively.
Shailesh Kapoor, the visionary Founder & CEO of Ormax Media, emphasizes the shift in sports consumption patterns in India, driven by digital media’s ascendancy. This has rendered traditional TV viewership metrics inadequate for gauging the true scale and diversity of sports fandom in the nation. The Ormax Sports Audience Report is a pioneering effort to provide a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of sports consumption, building upon earlier initiatives like The Ormax OTT Audience Report and Sizing The Cinema.
The report also sheds light on the most popular sports franchises, with Chennai Super Kings, Manchester United, and Patna Pirates leading the pack in their respective sports. Among cricket enthusiasts, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore are hot on the heels of Chennai Super Kings in terms of popularity.
Virat Kohli emerges as the most beloved sportsperson across India, with MS Dhoni closely following despite his retirement from professional cricket. The report further explores the varying popularity of sports, tournaments, franchises, and players across different demographics, including gender, age, socio-economic classes, population strata, and states.
Keerat Grewal, Head of Business Development (TV, Streaming & Brands) at Ormax Media, points out that the report adopts an audience-first perspective to offer invaluable insights for anyone involved in crafting sports-related monetization, content, or communication strategies targeting the Indian market. This includes broadcasters, franchise owners, sports associations, sports management firms, and advertisers.
The Ormax Sports Audience Report: 2024 is now available for subscription, promising to be an indispensable resource for understanding and engaging with India’s vast and varied sports audience.
This exploration into India’s sports consumption landscape underscores the evolving dynamics of sports fandom, influenced by digital advancements and changing viewer preferences. For those looking to tap into this vibrant market, The Ormax Sports Audience Report: 2024 offers a comprehensive guide to navigating the complexities of India’s sports ecosystem.
