The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to kick off on March 22, promising cricket fans an exciting season filled with thrilling matches. However, this year, fans will have to adapt to a new reality: access to the matches will only be available through the subscription-based streaming service, JioHotstar. Recognizing the demand for affordable access, Reliance Jio has rolled out several prepaid plans that offer complimentary JioHotstar subscriptions, allowing cricket enthusiasts to enjoy the matches without incurring additional costs.
The entry-level plan, priced at Rs 100, stands out for its affordability, providing JioHotstar access for 90 days alongside 5GB of mobile data. While this plan lacks the perks of unlimited voice calls and SMS, it's a great option for fans looking to watch IPL 2025 on a budget. It's also important for users with monthly recharge plans to note that they need to recharge their base plan at least 48 hours before expiration to maintain continuous JioHotstar benefits.
Next on the list is the Rs 195 Jio Cricket Data pack, designed for avid data users. This pack offers 15GB of mobile data and an extended JioHotstar subscription for the same 90-day period. While not suitable for those with existing recharges, it works well for new customers or those looking to switch.
For users wanting more extensive options, the Rs 949 prepaid plan includes unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day, and a daily allocation of 2GB of 4G mobile data, along with an impressive 84 days of free JioHotstar access. Additionally, subscribers will have unlimited access to Jio's 5G network and JioCloud, making it an attractive choice for heavy users.
In tandem with these offerings, Jio is strategically positioning itself to maximize viewership via partnerships with other telecom companies such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi). According to an Economic Times report, these discussions aim to bundle streaming subscriptions with data plans effectively. The goal is ambitious: to reach over 1 billion viewers across digital and television platforms for IPL 2025, following impressive viewership numbers from the previous year, which saw 620 million on JioCinema and 541 million on Star Sports.
The IPL 2025 serves as a critical event for JioStar, a joint venture formed between Disney’s Star India and Reliance’s Viacom18. The company aims to secure Rs 4,500 crore in advertising revenue, with 20 sponsors already onboarded, signaling strong market interest in the league's reach. The success of this transition to paid streaming—now backed by over 50 million paid subscribers and 500 million total users—may play a vital role in shaping India’s subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) market. Notably, industry metrics gather that India's SVOD subscriptions reached 125 million in 2024, reflecting positive growth trends.
Highlighting the recent success of live sports streaming, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 illustrates the vast potential of this market, as it attracted over 5.4 billion views, with the India vs. New Zealand final alone securing 1.24 billion views and peaking at 61.2 million concurrent viewers. This success underscores the opportunity JioHotstar has to tap into a burgeoning viewership eager for live sports content.
With its wide array of subscription options, Jio aims to maintain momentum. JioHotstar's tiered subscription plans, featuring mobile access yearly for Rs 499, super access for Rs 899, and premium at Rs 1,499, present various pricing options for consumers, ensuring access for all demographics.
Additionally, Jio's approach to bundling Hotstar access with prepaid plans could lead to increased customer retention and a smoother streaming experience. Users will find themselves able to stream without the hassle of purchasing separate subscriptions, making IPL 2025 accessible from various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. Activating the subscription means a simple recharge with an eligible plan, making the entire process hassle-free for customers.
Just before the IPL season begins, Jio is primed to capture cricket fans' attention with its competitive offerings while venturing beyond streaming into innovative telecom partnerships. As this year's matches draw near, the anticipation continues to build for IPL 2025.
In summary, Reliance Jio's integral role in adapting cricket viewing for IPL 2025 goes beyond providing mobile data. The strategies employed, including affordable prepaid plans and lucrative partnerships, aim not only to maximize viewership but also to redefine how cricket fans engage with the tournament.
