s the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 approaches, telecom giant Jio has introduced new recharge plans offering customers access to JioHotstar.
In an official statement, Jio announced that existing users who recharge with plans of INR 299 or more will receive a complimentary JioHotstar subscription for 90 days, accessible on both mobile and TV. Additionally, they will get a 50-day free trial of JioAirFibre, the company’s Wi-Fi service.
New customers, on the other hand, must purchase a Jio SIM with a plan of INR 299 or higher to avail the same benefits. This limited-time offer is valid from March 17 to March 31.
“Customers who have recharged before 17th March, can opt for an INR 100 add-on pack,” Jio added.
The launch of this offer aligns with JioStar’s strategy to expand its digital reach ahead of the IPL season. JioStar, the media conglomerate formed from the merger of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL)’s media business, Viacom18, and The Walt Disney Company’s India operations, aims to maximize viewership and advertising revenue for IPL 2025.
With the merger, JioStar has combined the content libraries of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar to create JioHotstar, the new OTT platform set to stream the cricket tournament. The company aims to reach over 1 billion viewers across television and digital platforms. Reports also suggest that JioStar is in talks with telecom rivals Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea to bundle JioHotstar subscriptions with their data plans.
Unlike last year, when JioCinema streamed IPL matches for free, JioHotstar is expected to introduce a hybrid model, providing limited free access before requiring a subscription.
Additionally, JioStar is targeting startups and small businesses with tailored advertising packages to boost revenue during IPL 2025. However, the merger has also triggered a restructuring phase, leading to job cuts. Reports indicate that JioStar has initiated layoffs affecting around 1,100 employees, a process expected to continue until June to streamline overlapping roles.
