JioHotstar, the recently announced platform created by the combination of Viacom18 and Star India, now known as JioStar, would no longer allow cricket fans in India to watch the Indian Premier League (IPL) for free. With the user base of over 50 crore and 3 lakh hours of entertainment, the portal, which combines JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, was formally launched on 14 feb 2025 Friday. However, free access to IPL matches will be limited by its new hybrid subscription plan.
Limited access on free plain bad new for cricket lover
Limited Free Access to IPL Matches, Viewers can enjoy a few minutes of an IPL match for free before a subscription is required. Once the free preview ends, they’ll be directed to a subscription page with plans starting at just ₹149, as reported by Reuters.
What paid Subscriber get
Hollywood films and television shows from Warner Bros., NBCUniversal Peacock, Discovery HBO, and Paramount will be available to consumers on JioHotstar.
Along with showcasing grassroots cricket with the Indian Street Premier League and events from the BCCI, ICC, and state associations, as well as other sporting events like the Premier League and Wimbledon, and domestic leagues like Pro Kabaddi and ISL, it will also stream major tournaments like the ICC events, IPL, and WPL.
With features like real-time stat overlays, AI-powered insights, multi-angle viewing, and ultra-HD 4K streaming, Jio Hotstar will provide a cutting-edge streaming experience.
What are the Business strategies involve in paid IPL Streaming
The move to a subscription model follows last year’s $8.5 billion merger of Walt Disney’s India media businesses with Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance. According to a source, “Once users develop an affinity for the platform and start watching for free, the subscription will eventually kick in.” Users may experience variable subscription activation times.
New subscription plains of jiohotstar
.Basic plain – 149 rupees (1.72$ dollar)
.No Ads plain -499 rupees (5.75$ dollar)
