JioStar and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) have partnered to share broadcast and streaming rights for India’s upcoming cricket tours of England in 2025 and 2026. The announcement was made on Monday and outlines how the matches will be shown across both television and digital platforms in India.
Under this agreement, all matches from India’s tours of England including Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), will be exclusively live-streamed on JioHotstar, JioStar’s digital platform. Meanwhile, Sony will continue to hold the television rights, broadcasting these games on Sony Entertainment Television through its Sony Sports Network.
The upcoming five-match Test series between India and England will kick off on June 20, 2025, at Headingley in Leeds. This will be the first series under the new arrangement. Matches will follow in Birmingham (July 2), Lord’s (July 10), Manchester (July 23), and the final Test will take place at The Oval on July 31.
JioHotstar will stream all the games live, while Sony will handle linear television broadcasts. This split approach between digital and TV platforms is not new but marks a significant shift in how major cricket events are distributed, especially considering JioStar’s growing focus on digital-first experiences.
Sanjog Gupta, CEO – Sports and Live Experiences, JioStar, said, “This collaboration is a win-win for all stakeholders involved – especially Indian Cricket fans – and serves the broader sporting landscape. The combination of JioHotstar’s deep digital footprint with SPNI’s broadcast network will universalise access to India’s tours of England.” He added, “As the habitual destination for Cricket viewing, JioHotstar is committed to offering millions of fans – inclusive, intuitive, interactive and immersive viewing experiences. We will continue to leverage the power of our storytelling, consumer-focussed product features and connectivity to unlock infinite possibilities of serving fans on our platforms.”
The deal reflects a growing trend in sports media where streaming services are taking a central role in delivering live content, particularly to younger and mobile-first audiences. Additionally, digital exclusivity helps platforms like JioHotstar strengthen their user base while appealing to advertisers who value data-driven targeting.
Sony, on the other hand, is building on its existing relationship with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB). SPNI had previously signed an eight-year deal in 2023 for exclusive India broadcast rights to ECB matches, lasting through 2031.
Gaurav Banerjee, MD and CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India, said, “We are thrilled to bring this fantastic partnership to cricket fans for India’s tour to England! Backed by the power of the Sony TV network and the digital prowess of JioStar – this first of its kind partnership will hope to redefine cricket coverage. Our deep thanks to our partners in ECB for their support.”
While the collaboration offers wider reach, some viewers may find it inconvenient to switch between platforms for different formats or to subscribe to multiple services. Furthermore, the exclusivity of streaming rights with JioHotstar could limit access for fans not using the app or service.
Notably, this dual-approach may represent the future of cricket broadcasting in India, where digital and linear platforms split rights based on content and audience behavior. Furthermore, it shows how broadcasters are adapting to changing viewer habits by forming strategic alliances.
Looking ahead, the 2026 tour will include three ODIs and five T20Is, further expanding the partnership’s scope. With both JioStar and Sony investing heavily in technology and content delivery, Indian cricket fans can expect more tailored and interactive experiences in the coming years.