The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will no longer be available for free streaming, marking a significant shift for cricket fans who have enjoyed complimentary access over the past two years. With the recent merger of Reliance’s JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, the newly formed streaming platform, JioHotstar, will adopt a hybrid subscription model. According to a Reuters report, this move will require users to pay for access once they exceed a set limit of free viewing minutes.
Previously, IPL was streamed for free on JioCinema after Viacom18 secured digital rights in a $3 billion deal in 2023. However, the merger between Reliance and Walt Disney has now consolidated streaming rights under JioHotstar, making it the exclusive home of IPL live streaming. The platform’s hybrid model will allow users to watch a limited amount of content for free before prompting them to subscribe. A source quoted by Reuters explained, "Once a user develops affinity to the platform, starts watching for free, becomes loyal... the subscription will kick in then."
JioHotstar’s pricing structure offers multiple options for users. The basic mobile plan is available at ₹149 per year, while the ad-free version costs ₹499 annually. Additionally, the platform offers a quarterly plan starting at ₹299. The Super plan, which includes ads, is priced at ₹299 for three months and ₹899 per year. For an ad-free experience, the Premium plan is available at ₹299 per month, ₹499 for three months, and ₹1,499 annually.
The decision to introduce a paywall has raised questions about its impact on advertising revenue. Ajimon Francis, Managing Director of Brand Finance, acknowledged concerns within the advertiser community but believes the impact will be segmented rather than pan-India. He noted that discussions between advertisers and broadcasters regarding ad rates will continue until mid-March. Meanwhile, Vikram Sakhuja, Group CEO of Madison Media & OOH, expressed confidence that IPL’s reach will remain unaffected. He pointed out that JioHotstar is offering four hours of free content per month before implementing charges, and the consolidation of JioCinema and Hotstar users may actually expand the viewer base.
The IPL 2025 season is scheduled to begin on March 21 and conclude with the final on May 25.
