IPL 2023: Reliance-owned JioCinema to Offer Free Digital Streaming

Following the lucrative live streaming of the FIFA World Cup in 2022 on the JioCinema app, Reliance is further looking to disrupt the live sports streaming market as it plans for digital broadcasting of the 2023 season of Indian Premier League (IPL) for free.

The development comes after Viacom18 tested a similar model, broadcasting the FIFA World Cup 2022 for free on Reliance-owned JioCinema App. The matches were streamed on the app, as well as on TV channels such as Sports18 and Sports18 HD, making it a hit.

IPL 2023 broadcasting to go digitally free

As per a report by The Hindu Businessline, Reliance-owned Viacom18, who purchased the digital media rights of IPL seasons 2023 through 2027 for a whopping amount of Rs 23,758 crore, is exploring several strategies to execute the same plan (free streaming) for IPL. The report also added that Reliance may also offer products for free to corner market share.

If this occurs, the IPL will be shown for the first time without a fee. The goal of Viacom18 is to challenge Disney-Star, a rival that still owns the DTH rights to the league.

The Indian Premier League 2023 is anticipated to be more popular than before. The upcoming season will undoubtedly feature plenty of exciting matchups with 10 teams playing 18 games each. The competition will be held in its original format and is anticipated to last for over 75 days. Each side will play two games against each of the opponents: one at home and one away.

The IPL, which began in 2008, will be in its sixteenth season in 2023. On December 23, 2022, Kochi hosted the mini-auction for the upcoming season. The IPL now features ten teams. Teams were split into two groups last year, but this year the format will be the same.