IPL 2025 Goes Behind a Paywall: JioHotstar Plans Bundled Subscriptions
The era of free IPL streaming is coming to an end as JioHotstar shifts to a paid model for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Reports suggest that JioHotstar is in discussions with telecom giants Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi) to offer bundled subscriptions as part of their data plans. This strategic move aims to ensure widespread reach across digital and TV platforms while maximizing revenue.
JioHotstar Targets Over 1 Billion Viewers for IPL 2025
According to an Economic Times report, JioHotstar is setting its sights on an audience exceeding 1 billion viewers across television and digital platforms. Last year, JioCinema recorded 620 million viewers, while Star Sports amassed 541 million, underscoring IPL’s immense popularity.
With IPL 2025 moving behind a paywall, telecom partnerships could play a crucial role in driving subscriptions. Industry experts believe that offering IPL access via mobile and broadband plans will boost data consumption, similar to the surge seen when IPL was free on JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar.
Read More :- Reliance Jio Ends Free IPL Streaming in India: New Subscription Plans Announced
The Rise of JioStar: IPL 2025’s Impact on the Media Giant
IPL 2025 marks a pivotal moment for JioStar, the newly formed media powerhouse resulting from the Disney Star and Viacom18 merger. The company has ambitious revenue goals, targeting Rs 4,500 crore in advertising revenue from the tournament.
Key Highlights:
- 20 major sponsors have already signed up to capitalize on IPL’s massive reach.
- 50 million paid subscribers and 500 million total users make JioHotstar a dominant player in India’s subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) market.
- SVOD subscriptions rebounded to 125 million in 2024, and IPL 2025 is expected to further accelerate growth.
Airtel-JioHotstar Deal: Renewal on the Horizon
Airtel’s expired JioHotstar content deal is up for renewal, and with the massive success of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which recorded 5.4 billion views and 1.24 billion views for the India vs New Zealand final, securing this partnership is a top priority.
Telecom Subscriber Base (TRAI Data):
- Reliance Jio: 476.58 million subscribers
- Bharti Airtel: 289.31 million subscribers
- Vodafone Idea (Vi): 126.38 million subscribers
While Jio already offers JioHotstar access with select prepaid plans, industry insiders hint that Airtel and Vi will soon launch similar bundled offers for IPL 2025 streaming.
JioHotstar Subscription Plans & Pricing
JioHotstar currently offers three subscription tiers:
- Mobile Plan – Rs 499/year (Single mobile device)
- Super Plan – Rs 899/year (Multiple devices, ads included)
- Premium Plan – Rs 1,499/year (Ad-free, except live sports)
What This Means for IPL Fans
With IPL 2025 going behind a paywall, fans will need a JioHotstar subscription or a bundled telecom plan to enjoy live streaming. This move is expected to reshape India’s sports streaming landscape, pushing more users towards paid digital content.
How to Watch IPL 2025:
- Subscribe to JioHotstar directly.
- Opt for a Jio, Airtel, or Vi plan that includes JioHotstar access.
- Tune in via Star Sports for TV broadcasts.
Conclusion: The Future of IPL Streaming
As IPL transitions to a subscription-based model, telecom partnerships will play a crucial role in maintaining viewership numbers. With digital ad revenue, user subscriptions, and bundled telecom deals, JioHotstar is poised to dominate India’s SVOD space.
