Disney+ Hotstar Offers Free Streaming of ICC Cricket World Cup and Enhances Viewing Experience with New Features
Disney+ Hotstar, the official streaming platform for the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, is offering free live streaming of the matches to its mobile users. The tournament kicks off on October 5 with the opening match between New Zealand and England at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Day matches will start at 10:30 AM IST, while day-night matches will commence at 2 PM IST, including the semifinals and finals.
Disney+ Hotstar’s move to provide free live streaming aims to regain momentum in India after losing online rights for the 2023-2027 IPL to JioCinema last year. Along with free streaming, the platform has introduced several new features to enhance the cricket-watching experience:
- MaxView for Vertical Cricket Viewing: In collaboration with the ICC, Disney+ Hotstar introduces MaxView, allowing users to stream cricket matches in vertical mode for convenient one-handed viewing. This feature displays the live feed, scorecard, and ad formats, offering a unique vertical cricket-watching experience.
- Optimized Data Usage: To address data consumption concerns, Disney+ Hotstar has optimized video delivery, ensuring high-quality streaming with minimal data usage. This enhancement enables users to enjoy live cricket without worrying about data charges.
- AI-Powered Video Clarity: Disney+ Hotstar enhances the cricket-watching experience with AI-based video clarity enhancements. These improvements boost viewing quality, especially in hazy weather conditions during matches.
- Always-On Cricket Scorecard: Users can now stay updated on live cricketing action while multitasking on the platform, ensuring they never miss crucial moments of the game with easy access to the live match.
- Live Feed Tab: The Live Feed tab provides viewers with an enhanced commentator experience, offering contextual information such as player stats and match updates.
- Content Discovery: Disney+ Hotstar introduces the “Coming Soon” tray for setting reminders on upcoming content. Additionally, free and paid content will be clearly segregated, simplifying content discovery for free users with highlighted “Free Callouts.”
- Free Badges and New Tray Formats: During the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, non-subscribers of Disney+ Hotstar can explore and enjoy numerous free content offerings through “free badges” and discover content with newer tray formats.
With these features, Disney+ Hotstar aims to provide cricket enthusiasts with an engaging and seamless viewing experience during the ICC World Cup.