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IPL To Return To Hotstar After Disney-Reliance Mega Merger - Reports 

IPL 2025 likely to stream on Hotstar after Disney-Reliance merger gets approved (@mufaddal_vohra/X.com)IPL 2025 likely to stream on Hotstar after Disney-Reliance merger gets approved (@mufaddal_vohra/X.com)

Disney and Reliance's newly merged joint venture in India is set to stream all live sporting events exclusively on Disney's Hotstar app, according to a report by Reuters. This strategic move follows their $8.5 billion merger approved earlier in 2024, forming the largest entertainment company in India by combining 120 TV channels and two major streaming platforms, JioCinema and Hotstar.

Reliance's entertainment live streaming platform, JioCinema, bagged exclusive streaming rights to the Indian Premier League (IPL) a few years ago after Disney+Hotstar failed to match the bid. Since then, JioCinema has been streaming IPL for free of cost for Indian users. 

Hotstar front runner to regain IPL streaming rights

However, streaming game is about to change with a mega-merger on the cards. Disney approved a merger with Reliance's JioCinema earlier this year in August, and both companies are set to merge their streaming platforms in January of next year.

The integration will see Hotstar become the exclusive platform for live sports streaming, including events like the IPL and other significant sports tournaments such as the ICC events, the English Premier League (EPL), and the Pro Kabaddi League. 

Notably, one of the primary reasons for shifting live sports streaming to Hotstar is its superior back-end technology, which is better equipped to handle the massive viewership for live content. Hotstar has built a strong reputation for smooth streaming, setting a record of 59 million viewers during the men's cricket World Cup finals.

Having said that, it remains unclear whether Hotstar will undergo a rebranding or if JioCinema and Hotstar will continue to operate independently for other entertainment content.

IPL 2025 mega auction shifted to Riyadh

As per latest rumours, IPL 2025 mega auction will take place on November 25, 25 at the Riyadh City of UAE. Last year, IPL chose the Coca-Cola Dome venue in Dubai for the same event. However, to expand the growth of the franchise league, the governing body explored a different city this time around.