Cricket Pushes India’s JioStar Within Striking Distance of Netflix Numbers

Patrick Seaman 

CEO @ SportsBug™ | Board Member & Advisor | Futurist | Author

May 26, 2025

While most eyes in U.S. streaming focus on the next NFL deal or NBA rights auction, something massive is happening halfway around the world. India’s JioStar, formed through a joint venture between Disney and Reliance, is closing in on Netflix’s global subscriber base. The reason? Cricket.

According to the Financial Times, JioStar has surged to 280 million users, driven almost entirely by digital rights to the Indian Premier League (IPL). In just a matter of months, the platform’s user base quintupled, propelled by an aggressive mobile-first strategy and the cultural weight of cricket in India.

📈 Source: Financial Times – https://www.ft.com/content/ea6f401d-2989-48ba-aa8b-d0d7325cd021

Why This Matters to the U.S. Market

• Streaming Playbook Evolution: JioStar’s rise is a case study in using culturally dominant sports to drive platform growth. In contrast to the U.S., where high-priced bundles and premium pricing rule, JioStar offers plans as low as $0.60 per month. That pricing model, paired with exclusive content, could influence how platforms think about emerging markets and tiered pricing in the States.
• Global Sports Rights Arms Race: As U.S. tech giants like YouTube and Amazon race to secure major sports rights, JioStar’s success proves the value of securing exclusive sports IP—not just for monetization, but for explosive subscriber acquisition.
• Cross-Border Strategy Lessons: Disney’s role in the venture shows a willingness to adopt local strategies for global gain. The IPL approach, stream free or nearly free to drive massive scale, contrasts sharply with ESPN’s forthcoming U.S. standalone launch. But it might not for long.

More Cricket, More Reach

JioStar is doubling down. In May 2025, Sony Pictures Networks India sublicensed digital rights to India’s cricket tours of England to JioHotstar (JioStar’s streaming arm). Sony will retain TV rights, while JioHotstar expands its live digital footprint.

📺 Source: Economic Times – https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/sony-sub-licenses-india-england-test-series-digital-rights-to-jiohotstar/articleshow/121415682.cms

The Catch? Monetization

Despite the eye-popping user numbers, profitability remains elusive. Disney, Reliance, and their partners face steep content costs. IPL rights alone cost $6.2 billion through 2027. Ad revenue is expected to grow to $600 million this year, but that may not cover the bill.

Still, the long-term potential is obvious. If JioStar can convert even a fraction of those 280 million viewers into paying subscribers or commerce-ready users, it becomes one of the most valuable media properties in the world, arguably more than any single U.S. streamer outside of YouTube or Netflix.

Bottom Line

For U.S. business and tech leaders, JioStar is not just a regional success. It’s a reminder that the future of streaming might not be written in L.A. or New York, but in Mumbai, Nairobi, or São Paulo.

If you’re not watching the cricket playbook, you may be missing the next big thing.