In a massive achievement for the Indian streaming market, JioHotstar has officially crossed the landmark figure of 100 million paid subscribers. This milestone comes just two months after the platform’s relaunch on February 14, 2025, following the merger of Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema. The explosive growth underlines the central role that cricket, and particularly the Indian Premier League (IPL), plays in driving digital consumption across India.
The 2025 edition of the IPL has been a key catalyst behind JioHotstar’s surge in subscribers. In the opening week of the tournament alone, the platform witnessed a 38% rise in overall viewership compared to previous seasons. An incredible 47% increase in TV video viewers and a 46% surge in watch time were recorded, demonstrating the magnetic pull of live cricket for Indian audiences. With cricket being nothing short of a religion in India, JioHotstar has leveraged this national passion perfectly to expand its user base at a breathtaking pace.
Besides the IPL, JioHotstar has also secured streaming rights for other marquee cricketing events, including the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy, bilateral series such as India versus England ODIs and T20s, and the highly popular Women’s Premier League. Notably, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, streamed on JioHotstar, achieved a 4.3 TVR, making it the highest-rated multi-nation cricket tournament in India. It even surpassed the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup in terms of ratings, a feat few would have predicted.
Indian cricket’s unrivaled ability to attract and hold viewer attention has been the bedrock of JioHotstar’s strategy. The platform has not only focused on securing premium sports content but has also ensured easy accessibility for users. Smart bundling deals with telecom giants like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have allowed millions of users to enjoy premium streaming as part of their data plans. This bundling strategy played a major role in reducing barriers to entry, thereby helping the platform scale rapidly across both urban and rural markets.
The success story of JioHotstar also reflects broader changes in how Indians consume entertainment. With affordable smartphones and widespread internet penetration, live sports streaming has moved from television screens to mobile devices, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Cricket, with its pan-India appeal, naturally became the cornerstone for capturing this expanding audience base.
While the competition in the OTT space remains fierce, JioHotstar’s approach of combining must-watch live cricket with an extensive library of entertainment content gives it a distinct advantage. The leadership team has shown a clear understanding that in India, nothing draws crowds like cricket. This clarity of vision has enabled JioHotstar to convert the country’s insatiable love for cricket into record-breaking subscriber numbers.