The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been one of the sporting events in the country, drawing millions of viewers across digital and television platforms. Over the years, the battle for IPL streaming rights has intensified, with several companies competing fiercely for market dominance.
Traditionally, the IPL was available on Star Sports for television viewers, while Hotstar held the digital streaming rights. However, with the explosion of mobile internet usage, digital viewership surged. The competition to secure IPL streaming rights intensified, culminating in a significant shift in 2022.
In 2022, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) divided IPL media rights into four packages, TV rights for India, digital rights for India, non-exclusive special matches, and global rights. In a surprising move, Viacom18 (backed by Reliance) acquired the IPL digital rights for ₹23,758 crore, while Disney Star retained the TV broadcasting rights for ₹23,575 crore for the 2023-27 cycle.
One of the most significant disruptions came in 2023 when JioCinema decided to offer IPL matches for free, removing the paywall that Hotstar had traditionally maintained. This strategy, aimed at mass adoption, resulted in record-breaking numbers:
The move attracted millions of users who previously relied on paid subscriptions. JioCinema’s multi-camera angles, 4K streaming, and regional language commentary further enhanced user engagement.
While IPL remains a key battleground, both platforms are vying for dominance in India’s booming OTT streaming market.
Later, JioCinema secured partnerships with Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO, and Paramount+ content, aiming to establish itself as a leading OTT player.
JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar have joined forces to launch a new platform, JioHotstar, through a collaboration between Viacom18 and Star India. With this merger, JioHotstar aims to provide nearly 3 lakh hours of entertainment, and extensive live sports coverage, and cater to over 50 crore users.
The platform introduces a flexible subscription model, offering plans starting at ₹149 for mobile users, ₹299 for the Super plan, and ₹349 for the Premium (Ad-Free) plan, all valid for three months. JioHotstar will feature content from top studios like NBCUniversal Peacock, Warner Bros, Discovery, HBO, and Paramount, delivering a diverse and immersive entertainment experience.
The collaboration between JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in business, a concept that applies to personal finance as well.
Just as companies merge resources to expand their reach and improve services, individuals can diversify their income streams and investments to build financial stability. Whether through multiple sources of income, smart budgeting, or long-term investments, financial success often comes from strategic decision-making and leveraging available opportunities.
Whether it’s entertainment, savings, or investments, understanding spending habits and making informed financial choices can lead to better financial well-being.
Also Read: Tata IPL 2025: How Broadcasting Evolved Over 18 Seasons!
The Jio-Hotstar collaboration highlights the value of strategic planning and smart spending. By applying these lessons, individuals can enhance their financial stability.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: Jun 4, 2025, 1:13 PM IST
Nikitha Devi
Nikitha is a content creator with 6+ years of experience in the financial domain. Specialising in personal finance, investments, and market insights, Nikitha simplifies complex financial topics, making them accessible to readers.
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