The free streaming of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which starts next month, is apparently going to stop. Rather, a new subscription model that requires payment for access to watch will be made widespread before the 2025 season for sports fans.
After Viacom18 acquired the digital rights to the T20 league for five years in 2023, JioCinema began offering free access to IPL matches. But with the establishment of a joint venture between Jio Cinema and Star India, a new organisation named JioHotstar will now be in charge of operating and broadcasting the Indian Premier League and other important athletic events.
Reports state that the new organisation will use a hybrid model. “All streaming content, including IPL, will shift to a hybrid model where free viewing will be offered for a while, and then users will need to take subscriptions depending on their consumption patterns,” according to a credible source.
The new JioHotstar platform will include membership rates that start at ₹149.
The premium version, which is ad-free and costs ₹499 for a large three-month period, will also be available. Additionally, a revamped app is anticipated to launch shortly.
JioCinema manages the streaming rights for “the Winter Olympics” and “the Indian Super League (ISL)” in addition to the Indian Premier League (IPL). JioHotstar does not have authority over the “English Premier League (EPL)” or the “International Cricket Council’s (ICC) tournaments” in India, which are instead run by Disney+ Hotstar.
Star India paid ₹23,575 crore for the Indian subcontinent’s broadcast rights, while Viacom18 paid an astounding ₹20,500 crore for the IPL’s digital rights.
According to rumours, the IPL 2025 season is expected to start in the third week of March, although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet officially confirmed the timetable. On March 22, Royal Challengers Bengaluru RCB will play the reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the first game at Eden Gardens.
This season, games will be played in Guwahati and Dharamsala in addition to the teams’ home stadiums.
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