IPL 2025 to introduce paid streaming on JioHotstar, free access to be limited

The Indian Premier League (IPL), set to commence next month, will reportedly no longer be streamed for free. Instead, a new subscription model will be popularized ahead of the 2025 season, demanding to pay for access to watch, for the sports enthusiasts. 

Since 2023, after Viacom18 seized the digital rights for the T20 tournament for five years, IPL matches have been accessible for free on JioCinema. However, with the creation and birth of a joint venture between Star India and Jio Cinema, a new body called JioHotstar will now handle the streaming and operation of IPL and other major sporting events. 

As per the reports, the new entity will follow a hybrid model. A source stated, “All streaming content, including IPL, will shift to a hybrid model where free viewing will be offered for a while, and then users will need to take subscriptions depending on their consumption patterns.”

Also Read: Reports: IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders to take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in opener

The new JioHotstar platform will offer subscription plans starting at the range of ₹149, with an ad-free premium variant which is priced at ₹499 for a substantial period of three months. Also, said that, a rebranded app is also foreseen to launch soon. 

Apart from the rights to IPL, JioCinema also holds streaming rights for 'the Winter Olympics' and 'the Indian Super League (ISL). Meanwhile, Disney+ Hotstar has maintained the 'International Cricket Council’s (ICC) tournaments' in India and the 'English Premier League (EPL)', which means JioHotstar does not have control over these tournaments.

Star India acquired television rights for the Indian subcontinent at ₹23,575 crore while Viacom18 had secured digital rights of IPL for a shocking ₹20,500 crore.

Though there's yet to have an official confirmation regarding the schedule by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), reports suggest that the IPL 2025 season will begin likely in the third week of March. The opening match scheduled on March 22 at Eden Gardens, is expected to feature Royal Challengers Bengaluru RCB against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

In addition to the home venues of all ten franchises, matches will also be conducted in Guwahati and Dharamsala this season.