Pakistan v India final could set new TV benchmarks

The group game between the two teams a fortnight ago saw twice as many viewers tune in than their previous Champions Trophy clash in 2013.

Aside from India’s path to winning the 2011 World Cup, that Champions Trophy match was the highest-rating ODI ever broadcast on Indian broadcaster, Star Sports.

Across all networks in India it was the highest rating since 2012, when the Asia Cup game between the same two teams bettered that mark.

This year’s Champions Trophy group game had 324 million viewers, who collectively racked up 580 million viewing hours.

It currently ranks third in both categories as far as ICC events are concerned, behind only the 2011 World Cup semi-final between the same teams, and the 2011 final when India beat Sri Lanka. The Champions Trophy final should easily take over third spot, and could challenge the pair at the top of the leader board.

With India in supreme batting form, and Pakistan having fought back magnificently to win three games in a row and break through to the final, the stage is set and the audience will pour in.

The ICC’s conservative estimate for this Champions Trophy final is in the region of 665 million viewing hours.

The 2011 World Cup semi-final attracted 886 million, and the final over a billion. This means that if London’s sunny forecast holds true and if there is a close match that goes close to the full 100 overs, the Champions Trophy Final might give second spot a shake.

There’s no denying the magnetism of contests between these two teams. With a great historical rivalry on the field, political rivalry off the field, and two huge populations passionate about the game of cricket, the interest and intensity skyrocket each time they take each other on.

The relative infrequency of these contests in recent years, with no bilateral tours meaning the teams only meet every year or two at the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and World Twenty20, only adds to the thirst for the contest.

Even the India-Pakistan group game at the 2015 World Cup topped the Super Bowl for viewer numbers, with the American showpiece event tallying 500 million viewing hours and the cricket surpassing 550 million.

Thus, getting two games in two weeks between Pakistan and India is a rare treat for the cricket world, and the high stakes of a final will only add to the hype.

There is pride and silverware on the line, and a long wait to the next time these teams might meet again.

Make sure you’re tuned in this Sunday. You’ll have in excess of 400 million others for company!

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