Reliance-Disney Said to Stop Completely Free IPL Cricket Streaming in India
In a significant shift for IPL Cricket fans in India, the Reliance-Disney joint venture has announced the end of completely free streaming for the Indian Premier League (IPL). This change follows their $8.5 billion merger and the consolidation of media assets into a unified platform called JioHotstar.OTTVerse+5Reuters+5The Economic Times+5The Economic Times+5Diya TV+5Wikipedia+5
🆕 What’s Changing?
Starting with the 2025 IPL season, JioHotstar will adopt a hybrid streaming model. Users can access a limited amount of content for free, but continued viewing will require a subscription. This approach aims to balance user acquisition with monetization, offering a free-to-paid transition based on individual consumption patterns. Reuters
💰 Subscription Plans
The new JioHotstar app will offer two subscription tiers:Reuters+1Reuters+1
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Basic Plan: ₹149 for three months
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Ad-Free Plan: ₹499 for three monthsOTTVerse+5Reuters+5Reuters+5Reddit+2Gadgets 360+2Reuters+2
These plans aim to provide affordable access while enhancing the viewing experience.
📈 Subscriber Growth
Since the merger, JioHotstar has experienced a surge in subscribers, reaching over 280 million—nearly matching Netflix’s global user base. This growth is largely attributed to exclusive IPL streaming rights and a diverse content library, including Hollywood titles from Paramount and Disney. Reuters+2Financial Times+2Wikipedia+2
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📺 What’s Next for IPL Fans?
While free access to IPL Cricket matches is no longer available, JioHotstar offers a comprehensive sports and entertainment package. Subscribers can enjoy a range of content, including:
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IPL 2025
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ICC Events
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English Premier League
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Wimbledon
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HBO Originals
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Paramount+ MoviesFinancial Times+3The Economic Times+3Reuters+3thinksproutinfotech.com+2Reuters+2Wikipedia+2Free Press JournalWikipedia+2Wikipedia+2Reuters+2
The platform aims to retain viewers post IPL Cricketby offering a wide array of exclusive content. Financial Times
