JioStar Enhances Sports Lineup and Rebrands Channels in Preparation for IPL 2025

JioStar, the joint venture between Reliance Industries, Disney, and Bodhi Tree, is undergoing a major expansion and rebranding of its sports broadcasting network. This strategic move comes as the company prepares for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. According to The Source, JioStar plans to launch multiple regional sports channels in both Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) formats.

Rebranding Initiative: Star Sports Replaces Sports18

As part of its rebranding strategy, JioStar will phase out the Sports18 brand and replace it with Star Sports. This move is aimed at strengthening Star Sports' dominance in the Indian sports broadcasting industry. The five existing Sports18 channels will undergo a brand transformation, aligning them with Star Sports' well-established identity.

New Star Sports Channel Lineup

The following Sports18 channels will be rebranded:

• Sports18 1 → Star Sports 2 Hindi

• Sports18 2 → Star Sports 2 Telugu

• Sports18 3 → Star Sports 2 Tamil

• Sports18 Khel → Star Sports Khel

In addition, HD versions of these channels will be introduced for premium viewers, launching on March 15, 2025:

• Star Sports 2 Hindi HD (Replacing Sports18 1 HD)

• Star Sports 2 Telugu HD

• Star Sports 2 Tamil HD

This expansion will significantly broaden Star Sports' regional reach, catering to a diverse audience base across India.

JioStar Expands to 24 Sports Channels

With this rebranding, JioStar will have a total of 24 sports channels in SD and HD formats, covering multiple Indian languages. This marks a major step in JioStar’s efforts to dominate the sports broadcasting industry, especially with IPL 2025 on the horizon.

Expansion of Free-to-Air (FTA) Offerings

JioStar is also expanding its Free-to-Air (FTA) channel offerings. As part of this initiative, Colors Rishtey and Star Utsav will be shifted to FTA platforms. This expansion brings JioStar’s total FTA channel lineup to six, making content more accessible to a wider audience across India.

Discontinuation of Nine Channels

As part of the portfolio realignment, JioStar will discontinue nine channels to optimize its offerings. The channels being discontinued include:

• Comedy Central SD & HD

• Vh1 SD & HD

• MTV Beats SD & HD

• Bindass

• Colors Odia

• Star Kiran HD

This decision aligns with JioStar’s strategy to streamline its entertainment and sports content while focusing on high-demand categories.

JioStar to Manage 130 Pay and FTA Channels

Following this overhaul, JioStar will manage 130 pay and FTA channels across SD and HD formats. Additionally, the company will oversee 83 broadcaster packs, which will include a dedicated FTA pack of six channels.

This restructuring reflects JioStar’s aggressive push to establish itself as a market leader in both sports and entertainment broadcasting.

Conclusion

JioStar’s strategic rebranding and expansion mark a significant transformation in India’s sports broadcasting landscape. By merging Sports18 into Star Sports, the company is strengthening its market presence just in time for IPL 2025. The launch of regional sports channels in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, along with new HD versions, will cater to a broader audience and enhance the viewing experience.

Additionally, the expansion of Free-to-Air (FTA) channels and portfolio restructuring indicate JioStar’s commitment to diverse and accessible sports programming. With 130 pay and FTA channels, JioStar is set to become a dominant player in sports and entertainment broadcasting. This move not only redefines its sports portfolio but also ensures maximum reach and engagement for Indian sports fans.