Reliance to end free IPL cricket streaming in India reveals new subscription plans

Reliance Jio, Indias largest telecom firm by users, said on Monday it will start charging users to stream Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches, ending two years of free streaming of one of the countrys most-watched sporting events.

The new recharge plan, which starts at 299 rupees ($3.44) for Jios mobile users, will enable them to watch the IPL on Reliance-Disneys newly merged JioHotstar streaming platform, the Reliance Group-owned firm said.

IPL, a money spinner and among the countrys most-streamed content, is scheduled to be held between March 22 and May 25.

The move comes a month after Reuters reported that the Reliance-Disney JV will no longer offer free streaming for IPL cricket matches, as was the case in 2023 and 2024 in the old JioCinema platform, and will adopt a hybrid model where subscription kicks in after content consumption reaches a threshold.

The new plan also includes a 50-day trial of Reliance Jios, broadband internet services, to help boost home internet dominance with high-speed sports streaming.

Billionaire Mukesh Ambanis pricing strategy for the IPL and other cricketing events are closely watched - media rights for those have cost the merged group, Indias biggest entertainment giant, nearly $10 billion in recent years.

The JV runs more than 100 TV channels and streaming apps in Indias $28-billion media and entertainment market. REUTERS

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