In a landmark collaboration, JioStar and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) have jointly secured streaming and television broadcast rights for the Indian cricket team’s tours of England in 2025 and 2026. JioStar will exclusively stream all matches, including Tests, ODIs, and T20 Internationals, on its OTT platform JioHotstar, while SPNI retains linear television rights. This innovative partnership promises comprehensive, multi-platform access to cricket fans across India, combining JioStar’s extensive digital reach with Sony’s robust broadcast network, underscoring a new era in sports content distribution.
Strategic Partnership Details
On Monday, JioStar and Sony Pictures Networks India announced a collaborative broadcasting agreement for the Indian cricket team’s upcoming tours of England scheduled for 2025 and 2026. This unique deal delineates content rights, with JioStar acquiring exclusive digital streaming privileges and SPNI retaining the linear television broadcast rights.
The upcoming five-match Test series, commencing June 20, 2025, will be available live on JioStar’s OTT platform, JioHotstar. Concurrently, Sony Sports Network will televise the series across its linear channels, ensuring extensive coverage for viewers preferring traditional television.
Match Schedule and Coverage
The Test series will unfold at iconic venues beginning with Headingley in Leeds, followed by matches in Birmingham, Lord’s, Manchester, and culminating at The Oval on July 31, 2025. Following this, the agreement also covers the 2026 white-ball series, comprising three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) during India’s return tour of England.
This dual-platform approach ensures fans have unrestricted access to the matches, regardless of their preferred viewing medium—digital or television.
Industry Significance and Market Impact
Sanjog Gupta, CEO of Sports and Live Experiences at JioStar, emphasized that the synergy between JioHotstar’s expansive digital footprint and SPNI’s established broadcast infrastructure will democratize access to these high-profile cricketing events.
This collaboration comes on the heels of SPNI’s exclusive India rights acquisition to England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) properties under an eight-year contract extending through 2031, positioning Sony as a dominant player in cricket broadcasting.
Gaurav Banerjee, MD and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India, highlighted the pioneering nature of this partnership, projecting it as a transformative model for cricket coverage that leverages the strengths of both digital and traditional media platforms.
Conclusion
The alliance between JioStar and Sony Pictures Networks India marks a significant evolution in sports broadcasting, reflecting the growing convergence of digital and linear media. By sharing rights for India’s tours of England, the two entities are setting new benchmarks in delivering seamless, multi-platform sports content to a diverse and expansive audience. This strategy not only augments viewer engagement but also reinforces the dynamic landscape of cricket broadcasting in India.
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