JioHotstar Subscription Plans Post-Merger: No Free IPL 2025 Streaming?

Reliance Industries’ Reliance Jio has officially launched its new streaming service, JioHotstar, a merger of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, marking a significant shift in India’s OTT landscape.

With a combined user base of more than 50 crore and over 3 lakh hours of content, JioHotstar is positioned to become the largest streaming platform in India. The service combines both domestic and international content, featuring exclusive shows and movies from major studios like Disney, NBCUniversal’s Peacock, Warner Bros. Discovery HBO, and Paramount.

Will IPL 2025 Not Be Free on JioHotstar?

JioHotstar has made cricket a major part of its offering, securing rights for key events like the ICC tournaments, IPL, WPL, and various domestic leagues. As per news reports, there will be no free streaming of IPL 2025. This can be a surprise for Indian cricket fans. The tournament, which will be live-streamed on JioHotstar, will adopt a hybrid subscription model, meaning fans will no longer be able to watch the IPL for free.

Over the past two years, the IPL was live-streamed on the JioCinema website and app after they acquired the rights in a $3 billion deal in 2023. Moving forward, JioHotstar will implement the hybrid model, allowing users to watch content for a limited time before requiring a subscription.

JioHotstar Subscription Plans and Pricing

Before the merger, JioCinema was available for free or at a certain charge starting at ₹29, depending upon the plan. On the other hand, Hotstar was available starting at ₹149. Post the merger, JioHotstar offers three subscription plans designed to cater to different user needs.

• The Mobile Plan is the most affordable option, priced at ₹149 for three months or ₹499 for a year. This ad-supported plan allows access on a single mobile device only.
• The Super Plan, priced at ₹299 for three months or ₹899 for a year, allows content access on two devices simultaneously and supports mobile, web, and living room devices.
• The Premium Plan, an ad-free offering, starts at ₹299 per month (available only via web browser), ₹499 for three months, and ₹1,499 for a year. This plan provides access to content on up to four devices without any ads.

Free Subscription for Existing Users

Reliance Jio is offering free subscriptions to current users of Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema.

• Disney+ Hotstar Subscribers: Existing subscribers will be seamlessly transitioned to JioHotstar without any additional charges. The services and features from their previous Disney+ Hotstar subscription will be available under the new platform.
• JioCinema Subscribers: Users with valid JioCinema subscriptions will also be moved to JioHotstar, with uninterrupted access to the platform’s content.Subscribers of the JioCinema monthly plan (₹29) will be upgraded to the JioHotstar Premium plan for the duration of their JioCinema plan validity. Subscribers of the JioCinema yearly plan (₹299) will also be upgraded to the JioHotstar Premium plan until their JioCinema plan expires.
• Mobile or Broadband Subscribers: Jio users with plans that already include JioCinema or Disney+ Hotstar subscriptions will continue to enjoy similar benefits under JioHotstar.

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