Sports channels have remained one of the most popular categories across streaming services for years. One of the quintessential genres that will remain popular and beloved irrespective of sickness or health, it continues to attract some of the biggest content creation names from across the industry, be it Just Chatting, IRL, or esports personalities.
Interestingly, in the overall list for this year when it comes to the most-watched channels, there are more organizations than individuals, showing just how well the former have adapted to the changing live sports landscape and experience. One nation, in particular, also has quite the presence on the leaderboard, although one nation and one sport have dominated the list, both unexpected when it comes to such achievements.
Most watched Sports channels in 2023
| Place | Channel | Platform | Hours Watched |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | CricTalks
|
YouTube | 138.09M |
| #2 | CazéTV
|
Twitch, YouTube
|
100.88M |
| #3 | kingsleague
|
Twitch, YouTube
|
94.17M |
| #4 | Jogo Aberto
|
YouTube
|
63.11M |
| #5 | Jovem Pan Esportes
|
YouTube
|
34.02M |
| #6 | The Pat McAfee Show
|
YouTube
|
30.39M |
| #7 | BWF TV
|
YouTube | 29.15M |
| #8 | FPT Bóng Đá Việt | YouTube
|
27.06M |
| #9 | Os Donos da Bola
|
YouTube
|
25.32M |
| #10 | VTV Thể Thao
|
YouTube
|
19.63M |
Moreover, there is a lot of variety in the kind of content these sports channels put out, with rights being such that many regions have exclusive rights to broadcasting sporting events and activities. It is also pretty clear that, like esports, some areas across the globe heavily favor certain sports and tournaments that do much better in terms of the star power of participants and the viewership numbers they generate.
Also, quite a few pockets have competitions and tournaments that feature local influencers, which helps give both parties more coverage on a wider scale. It is a pointer to the growing relationship between these content creators and events from different fields when it comes to reaching more audiences and helping each other grow in a kind of symbiotic relationship.
Most watched Sports channels
Atop the pile is CricTalks, an Indian handle run by a website of the same name that presents live cricket scores, match previews and reviews, and live online cricket links. The ICC Men's World Cup was held in India in October and November, and that generated tremendous buzz globally — especially across the subcontinent, the game's biggest market. Such coverage and interest in the 'Gentlemen's Game' helped it grow immensely on the purple platform and aided this account in massively improving its year-on-year watch time and popularity.
Second is Kings League, run by ibai — one of the most famous content creators in the world — and former Barcelona and Spain footballer Gerard Pique. This men's and women's seven-a-side football league with unique rules like rolling subs, tie-breaker penalty shootouts, and secret weapons, who fill the 11th and 12th player slots in each squad and are usually former or current footballers and streamers. Live streamed on numerous social media platforms, the first three seasons (men) and two tournaments for the women were massive successes, so readers can expect more tweaks and action come the new year.
CazéTV, perhaps the biggest YouTuber from Brazil in the sports sector and one of its most prominent names, is third. He has already made a name for himself with the humorous and sarcastic football content he posts from the game's activities in his homeland. Having recently won the rights to host the official UEFA Champions League games in the South American nation, things have gotten a whole lot more serious, and lucrative for the internet personality who is also famously known as Casimiro.
Fourth is the first of four Brazilians on this leaderboard, Jogo Aberto, hosted by the popular broadcast journalist Renata Fan and backed by Rede Bandeirantes (also known as Band), a Brazilian television network part of the Bandeirantes Group. It is a news and debate program dedicated mainly to football, in which analysis predominates any other form of reporting.
Rounding off the top five is another organization from the land of Christ the Redeemer, Jovem Pan Esportes. The self-proclaimed 'most popular Brazilian sports channel on YouTube offers informed opinions, credible information, hot debates, and the best national football broadcasts.' Of course, football takes up a large share of their content and broadcasts, but the handle also talks about a range of other interesting sports like athletics.
Most watched Twitch Sports channels
The top five are filled with some popular names from the Hispanic community, including ibai and Gerard Romero, a famous sports journalist in Spain who covers clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid. He also owns a team in the former’s much-publicized Kings League called Jijantes FC. There is also Casimito, the Twitch channel of the aforementioned CazéTV that also pulls in millions of viewers thanks to its football-focused content.
Most watched Kick Sports channels
Hikaru Nakamura, the king of online Chess content today continues to lead the line for Sports on Kick thanks to the amazing work he continues to do for the ancient board game. He is followed by another popular Chess-based organization's channel, with the popular Italian football journalist and 'breaking news' connoisseur Fabrizio Romano in third.
