Jio Hotstar IPL to Partner with Airtel and Vi for Subscription Bundles

• Jio Hotstar IPL may be bundled with Airtel, Vi, and Jio data plans for wider access.
• The move follows JioStar’s shift to a subscription-based model, ending free IPL streaming.
• Telecom partnerships aim to increase subscriptions and drive data consumption for IPL 2025.

JioStar is reportedly in discussions with major telecom providers, including Airtel, Vi, and Jio, to bundle its streaming service with their data plans. This strategic move comes ahead of IPL 2025, aiming to enhance accessibility while shifting to a subscription-based model. Previously, cricket fans could stream matches for free on JioCinema, but with the introduction of paid subscriptions, partnerships with telecom companies could help maintain and expand its audience base.

The transition to a paid model has led JioStar to introduce multiple plans, starting at Rs. 149 for three months. Higher-tier packages offer benefits like 4K streaming, AI-powered insights, real-time statistics, and multi-angle viewing. By integrating with telecom data plans, Jio Hotstar IPL could retain its stronghold among Indian viewers while driving higher engagement across digital platforms.

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Jio Hotstar IPL and Telecom Partnerships

Reports indicate that JioStar is actively working on collaborations that would allow users to access its premium content through prepaid and postpaid data plans. Industry experts suggest that such bundling could significantly boost data usage, a trend observed when free IPL streaming was available via JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar in the past.

Sources claim that Jio Hotstar IPL’s success in securing these deals could help it tap into a vast internet user base, now that content is behind a paywall. The discussions reportedly cover not just mobile services but also home broadband, ensuring seamless streaming experiences for users across devices.

Increasing Viewership with Bundled Offers

One of the key factors driving this initiative is the expiration of Jio Hotstar’s content deal with Airtel. With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 also falling under the paywall model, renewing telecom agreements is critical for sustained viewer engagement. Industry insiders note that IPL remains a massive driver of streaming consumption, and collaborations with telecom providers will ensure continuous growth in both subscriptions and data usage.

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With IPL viewership surpassing 620 million on JioCinema and 541 million on Star Sports in 2024, JioStar aims to reach over 1 billion viewers across TV and digital platforms. By integrating subscriptions into telecom plans, users could gain uninterrupted access to live matches, reducing friction associated with standalone OTT subscriptions.

Jio Hotstar IPL is set to reshape digital cricket viewership with potential telecom partnerships, making paid subscriptions more accessible. With strategic bundling, the platform is poised to expand its reach while boosting data consumption for telecom providers. As IPL 2025 approaches, these collaborations could play a crucial role in defining the future of sports streaming in India.