Indian cricket fans are in for a significant change as IPL 2025 will no longer be available for free streaming. The tournament, which was previously accessible without a paywall on JioCinema, will now be streamed on JioHotstar, the newly merged platform of Reliance’s JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. This shift comes after the companies finalized their merger on February 14, setting the stage for a revamped viewing experience under a hybrid subscription model.
For the past two years, JioCinema provided free IPL streaming after securing the digital rights in a $3 billion deal. However, under the new model, viewers will only get limited free access before being required to subscribe. According to a report by Reuters, the strategy is designed to encourage users to develop a habit of watching content before prompting them to pay for continued access.
JioHotstar’s pricing structure includes several options:
- Basic Plan: ₹149 per year (mobile-only, with ads)
- Super Plan: ₹299 for 3 months or ₹899 per year (with ads)
- Premium Plan: ₹299 per month, ₹499 for 3 months, or ₹1,499 per year (ad-free)
Additionally, JioHotstar offers a quarterly plan at ₹299, ensuring flexible options for users.
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The shift to a paid model is expected to have a segmented impact on advertisers, according to Ajimon Francis, Managing Director of Brand Finance. Speaking to Business Line, he noted that while discussions will take place regarding ad rates and audience reach, the effect is unlikely to be uniform across India.
From now on, fans will need a minimum subscription plan of ₹149 to watch IPL on the newly launched JioHotstar. There will be no complete free streaming.#TechInformer #IPL #Jiocinema pic.twitter.com/qO6RZ79s8M
— Tech Informer (@Tech_Informer_) February 15, 2025
“There will be debates among advertisers and broadcasters about which audience segments might be affected and how that influences ad pricing,” he explained. “However, the impact will likely be limited to specific groups rather than a pan-India effect.”
Despite the paywall, experts believe that IPL’s overall viewership may not decline significantly. Vikram Sakhuja, Group CEO of Madison Media & OOH, pointed out that JioHotstar is still offering four hours of free content per month, which could maintain initial engagement levels.
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“Once JioCinema and Hotstar fully migrate to JioHotstar, we could see a growth in both paid and free users. The ₹149 paywall kicks in only after a user exceeds the free viewing limit. Given IPL’s massive popularity, I don’t expect its reach to decline,” Sakhuja said.
JioHotstar’s hybrid model marks a shift in how digital sports content is monetized in India. While free streaming helped boost digital engagement in previous seasons, this year’s paid approach will test fan loyalty and willingness to subscribe. Whether this new model will impact IPL’s massive viewership remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—fans will need to pay to watch the full tournament.
