JioHotstar Secures India vs England Test Streaming Rights – Everything You Need to Know
Did you catch the buzz when JioHotstar announced it would stream the India vs England Test series? If not, you’re about to get the full story in plain English. The platform grabbed exclusive digital rights after the Sports and Promotion of National Interests (SPNI) sub‑licensed the streaming portion. Meanwhile, Sony Sports channels still hold the TV broadcast, so the matches won’t appear on Sony LIV.
How the Rights Split Works
Here’s the breakdown: SPNI kept the television portion on Sony’s linear channels, but handed the online streaming gig to JioHotstar. That means anyone with a JioHotstar subscription could watch every ball, every session, live on their phones or laptops. The series, now nicknamed the Tendulkar‑Anderson Trophy, ran five Tests and ended 2‑2. The digital side broke records – a 13 million peak concurrency and a staggering 170 million total viewers across the series.
Why This Matters for Viewers
If you usually watch cricket on TV, you might wonder why the shift to a streaming‑only model is a big deal. First, it puts the game directly in your pocket. No need to schedule around TV slots; you can tune in whenever you have internet. Second, the data shows more people are choosing online over traditional TV, especially younger fans who prefer on‑the‑go access.
For JioHotstar, the win is clear – they’ve boosted their subscriber base and proved they can handle massive traffic spikes. For Sony, keeping TV rights still gives them a foothold in the cricket market, but they’ll need to think about how to stay relevant as digital viewership soars.
What about advertisers? Brands now have two distinct arenas: TV spots on Sony Sports and digital ad slots on JioHotstar. The latter offers precise targeting, which can mean better ROI for companies aiming at tech‑savvy audiences.
From a fan’s perspective, the key takeaway is simple: if you want uninterrupted, high‑definition streams of India’s Test matches, sign up for JioHotstar. If you still trust the TV experience, stick with Sony Sports. Both options coexist, giving you choice – a rare win in today’s fragmented media landscape.
Looking ahead, expect more high‑profile cricket series to follow this split‑rights model. The success of the India vs England Tests shows that streaming platforms can handle the load, and broadcasters are learning to adapt. Keep an eye on upcoming tours – the next big deal could reshape where you watch the game.
Got questions about how to set up JioHotstar, or which device works best for live cricket? Drop a comment below, and we’ll walk you through the steps. Happy watching!
