Hotstar Shifts to Hybrid Model for IPL Streaming
JioHotstar's hybrid model will offer users a basic plan starting at 149 rupees and an ad-free version for 499 rupees for three months, providing an affordable and flexible option for sports fans. The platform's focus on personalization and AI-driven recommendations will enhance the user experience, making it an attractive option for those looking for a comprehensive streaming service.
Reliance-Disney's joint venture, JioHotstar, will no longer offer completely free IPL cricket streaming, adopting a hybrid model where users need subscriptions after consuming a certain amount of content, with plans starting at 149 rupees for a basic plan and 499 rupees for an ad-free version for three months.
The decision to shift from a completely free model to a subscription-based one comes after the joint venture secured IPL rights for five years in 2023. This change will take effect from 2025, marking a significant shift in the way IPL cricket is consumed in the region. The new streaming app, JioHotstar, combines the content libraries of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, offering a wide range of content across 10 languages.
JioHotstar provides ad-based plans starting from $5.7 per year, with two ad-based plans and one ad-free subscription. The platform features TV programs, originals, and international premieres, including content from Disney, NBCUniversal Peacock, Warner Bros. Discovery HBO, and Paramount. Additionally, JioHotstar will continue to offer live sports, including cricket and tennis grand slams, with a focus on personalization through AI-driven recommendations.
The introduction of JioHotstar's hybrid model for IPL streaming marks a new era in the way sports content is consumed in the region. With its affordable pricing plans and wide range of content, JioHotstar is poised to become a leading streaming platform in the market.
