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The merger of Reliance Industries and Disney India, which was finalized in February 2024 for a whopping USD 8.5 billion, has resulted in a significant shift in the digital streaming landscape for sports events. The newly formed joint venture, encompassing 120 TV channels and two streaming services, Jio Cinema and Disney+ Hotstar, has made the strategic decision to move all cricket and sports events, including the highly anticipated IPL 2025, from Jio Cinema to Disney+ Hotstar. This decision, while not officially confirmed by the company, is based on a Reuters report and suggests a move towards consolidating sports streaming under the Disney+ Hotstar platform.
Jio Cinema currently holds the digital rights for cricket matches in India, including the IPL, while Disney+ Hotstar boasts the rights to all ICC tournaments. This move aims to centralize the streaming of all major sports events under one platform, likely driven by Hotstar's superior backend streaming technology for live content and its prowess in managing targeted advertising. The target date for this transition is reportedly set for January 2025, indicating a swift and decisive shift in the streaming landscape.
This strategic move highlights the importance of advanced technology and targeted advertising in the digital streaming world. Hotstar has proven its reliability and capabilities through its record viewership during the ODI Cricket World Cup final last year, reaching an impressive 59 million viewers. This established track record of successful live streaming has likely influenced the decision to consolidate sports content under Hotstar's platform.
The future of entertainment content from both streaming platforms remains uncertain. It is unclear whether content from Jio Cinema and Disney+ Hotstar will be integrated into one app or if one platform will be discontinued while the other remains operational. However, the focus on streamlining sports content suggests a potential shift in the company's streaming strategy, possibly focusing on consolidating offerings under the Disney+ Hotstar platform.
Source: Reliance to discontinue IPL 2025 streaming on Jio Cinema following the merger with Hotstar