No more FREE Streaming, JioCinema to roll out new PRICING next month

IPL 2023 LIVE Streaming: The days of free live streaming of the Indian Premier League are set to be over. Mukesh Ambani-owned JioCinema will roll out new pricing for content including IPL and all other sporting events. Thus, JioCinema will work similarly to Disney+Hotstar, putting all content behind a paywall. Before IPL 2023 ends, JioCinema will decide on the new pricing.

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JioCinema will roll out new plans and prices

After pipping Sony and Disney-Star in bagging IPL Digital Rights, Viacom18 revolutionized the viewing experience, introducing multi-camera angles, 4K live streaming, and regional commentary all for free. With IPL tasting success with its Jio moment, it signals the end to freebies. Before the IPL 2023 Final on May 28, JioCinema will roll out new plans and prices for all content on the platform including sporting events, Viacom18’s media and content business President, Jyoti Deshpande, confirmed in an interview with Bloomberg.

JioCinema wants to cut the competition with cheaper pricing

While free sounds better than paying yet another subscription fee, consumers will still get a win. JioCinema wants to cut the competition with cheaper pricing. Hence, one can expect cheaper subscription fees than SonyLIV, Disney+Hotstar, and other platforms. But rest assured, IPL 2023 will be completely free on JioCinema.

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Viacom18 Sports properties:

• Indian Premier League
• FIFA World Cup
• NBA
• BWF World Tour
• ATP Masters 1000
• Abu Dhabi T10
• Diamond League
• La Liga
• Serie A
• Ligue 1
• Indian Super League (Likely to be added next season)

Industry experts urged Viacom18 to introduce a paid model

The writings were there on the wall though. Industry experts urged Viacom18 to introduce a paid model as the free-for-all model would have a negative impact on the Indian OTT market. Additionally, it would be almost impossible for Viacom18 to recoup Rs 20,500 Cr it paid to secure the rights.

JioCinema offering IPL free

“It would be difficult for them to recover even 30-40 percent of IPL’s content acquisition cost via the digital route if it is free in the near term (the next two years). JioCinema offering IPL free will [also] be a big negative for ARPUs of other OTT platforms in a market where most of them are already available at cheap prices versus global averages,” Karan Taurani, SVP at Elara Capital, told BT.

JioCinema has inked a new deal to introduce over 100 films and TV series to the platform

But not just on the sporting front, JioCinema is expanding its entertainment portfolio as well. JioCinema has inked a new deal to introduce over 100 films and TV series for the platform. The new films and series will include thrillers and biopics in multiple regional languages. Jio Studios will also release new films like Shah Rukh Khan’s Dhunki and Amitabh Bachchan starring Section 84. In addition, Jio Studios has also announced a multi-film collaboration with SVF Entertainment for Bengali movies.