IPL on JioHotstar: Paid Streaming Starts 2025
JioHotstar's hybrid model offers a mix of free and paid content, with plans starting at Rs 149 for 3 months, and an ad-free version for Rs 499 for 3 months, providing users with a range of options to access their favorite IPL content.
Indian Premier League (IPL) fans will no longer be able to watch the league for free starting from 2025, as JioHotstar, a merged streaming service of Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema, adopts a hybrid subscription model, offering 4 hours of free content per month.
The decision comes after the merger of Reliance and Disney's India media assets in an $8.5 billion deal last year, which secured the rights for IPL cricket for five years at $3 billion. The new streaming app will have plans starting at 149 rupees ($1.72) and an ad-free version for 499 rupees ($5.75) for three months. Existing users of Hotstar and JioCinema can continue with their current plans until they expire, while new subscribers can opt for plans starting from Rs 149 for 3 months.
The move is expected to have a segmented impact on advertisers, but experts believe it will not affect the league's audience. JioHotstar, a merged app of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, is now live in India, offering content from both platforms. Existing JioCinema subscribers get a 3-month extension on their current Rs 29/month plan. The new platform offers mobile-only plans with ads for Rs 149 (3 months) and Rs 499 (12 months).
The adoption of a hybrid model by JioHotstar marks a significant shift in the way IPL content is consumed in India, and it will be interesting to see how fans respond to the paid streaming model. With the new plans and pricing in place, JioHotstar is poised to become a major player in the Indian streaming market.
