Say Goodbye to Free Streaming, JioCinema to Introduce Paywall After This Season: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a free-for-all event for viewers across the country for years, but the free live streaming days are numbered. Mukesh Ambani-owned JioCinema is set to roll out new pricing plans for all content on the platform, including sporting events, putting everything behind a paywall similar to Disney+Hotstar. However, the new pricing strategy won’t affect IPL 2023, which will still be free as promised by the broadcaster.
Here are some key takeaways from recent reports on this topic: Say Goodbye to Free Streaming, JioCinema to Introduce Paywall After This Season, IPL 2023
- JioCinema will decide on the new pricing plans for all content on the platform, including IPL and other sporting events, before IPL 2023 ends. However, the paywall is likely to kick in from IPL 2024.
- Industry experts urged Viacom18, which secured IPL digital rights after outbidding Sony and Disney-Star, to introduce a paid model as the free-for-all model would negatively impact the Indian OTT market. Additionally, Viacom18 would struggle to recoup the INR 20,500 Cr it paid to secure the rights.
- JioCinema aims to cut the competition by offering cheaper subscription fees than other platforms like SonyLIV, Disney+Hotstar, and more.
- JioCinema is expanding its entertainment portfolio with a new deal that includes over 100 films and TV series for the platform. The new content will include thrillers and biopics in multiple regional languages.
- The JioCinema app allows free live streaming of IPL 2023 for Jio users and users of other major telecom companies, including Vi, Airtel, and BSNL.
- Star Network secured the broadcasting rights for IPL matches on TV, while Viacom18 grabbed the rights to live stream the matches live in India by paying a total of INR 20,500 crore to BCCI.
- BCCI is set to earn more than $6 billion by selling broadcasting rights, and the IPL is listed alongside the US NFL and the English Premier League as one of the top sports leagues.
JioCinema’s decision to put content behind a paywall is likely to affect the Indian OTT market. However, JioCinema aims to cut the competition with cheaper subscription fees while expanding its entertainment portfolio. Despite these changes, IPL 2023 will remain free for viewers, and Star Network will continue to broadcast IPL matches on TV in India.
Read more : Top 5 highest viewership on Jio Cinema for IPL 2023