JioStar to expand sports bouquet with new channel launches ahead of IPL

JioStar, the joint venture formed by Reliance Industries, Disney, and Bodhi Tree, is undertaking a significant expansion and rebranding of its sports broadcasting portfolio to better serve regional audiences ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

The company is launching several regional sports channels in both Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) formats. The Sports18 brand will be retired in favor of Star Sports. As part of this effort, five Sports18 channels will be rebranded as Star Sports, solidifying its position as the leading TV sports brand.

As per its latest regulatory filing, Star Sports 2 Hindi will replace the Sports18 1, offering Hindi-language sports content. Sports18 2 will transition to Star Sports 2 Telugu, catering to Telugu-speaking audiences, while Sports18 3 will become Star Sports 2 Tamil for Tamil-speaking viewers.


Additionally, Star Sports 2 Kannada will replace Star Sports First, focusing on Kannada-language sports content. Sports18 Khel will be rebranded as Star Sports Khel, maintaining its diverse sports programming.

The HD versions—Star Sports 2 Hindi HD, Star Sports 2 Telugu HD, and Star Sports 2 Tamil HD—are set to launch on March 15, 2025, to reach premium audiences. Star Sports 2 Hindi HD will replace the erstwhile Sports18 1 HD.

Following the rebranding and new launches, JioStar's sports portfolio will expand to 24 channels across SD and HD formats in multiple languages.

In a bid to reach a broader audience, JioStar is transitioning its entertainment channels, Colors Rishtey and Star Utsav, to free-to-air platforms. This strategic move increases JioStar's FTA portfolio to six channels, targeting India's vast FTA viewership.

As part of its portfolio realignment, JioStar is discontinuing nine channels, including Comedy Central SD and HD, Vh1 SD and HD, MTV Beats SD and HD, Bindass, Colors Odia, and Star Kiran HD.

After the realignment, JioStar will operate a total of 130 pay and FTA channels across SD and HD formats, along with 83 broadcaster packs, including an FTA pack comprising six channels.