The new season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is just days away, and excitement is building. As one of the most-watched sports leagues in the world, the IPL continues to capture global attention. This year’s edition brings several unique aspects—not on the field, but off it. Unlike previous seasons, where TV broadcasting and OTT rights were held by different companies, this time, both have been secured by a single giant—Reliance.

But beyond all this, the real buzz is around the soaring ad rates for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). According to industry experts, advertising costs have surged by 25-30% compared to last year’s initial asking prices. The reason? The JioStar merger, which has reshaped the market dynamics.

JioStar now holds both TV and digital streaming rights for IPL from 2023 to 2028—rights originally secured by Viacom 18 Pvt Ltd before the merger. With this strategic shift, brands are now facing steeper costs to get a slice of the IPL’s massive viewership. JioStar has the television and digital streaming rights for the cricketing extravaganza from 2023 to 2028, originally bagged by Viacom 18 Pvt Ltd prior to the merger.

IPL 2024

Previously, Star Sports Network held the TV broadcasting rights for the IPL. However, after the merger between Star Group and Viacom18 (a Reliance-owned entity), the newly formed company—now dominated by Reliance—secured both TV and digital broadcasting rights. With Reliance controlling the entire broadcasting ecosystem, various reports suggest that it has significantly hiked advertising rates. Compared to last year, ad rates have surged by 25-30%, making it more expensive for brands to advertise during IPL 2025.

How Much A 10-Second Ad Costs

Various reports suggest that for a 10 second ad on television (SD+HD), the prices have gone up 9-15 per cent to ₹18-19 lakhs. Last year, the price for the same ad slot was just ₹16.4 lakhs. For Smart TV, prices went up by 23-38 percent to ₹8-9 lakhs from ₹6.5 lakhs last year. These trends are higher than the annual advertising inflation of 10-12 per cent.

This time, a 10-second ad on Star Sports during the IPL will cost a hefty ₹18-19 lakh, up from less than ₹16 lakh last year. Industry experts attribute this sharp hike to the JioStar merger, which has reshaped the broadcasting landscape.

Previously, with TV and digital rights held by different companies, both sides were cautious about pushing ad rates too high. However, Reliance disrupted the market by offering free streaming on JioCinema, drawing audiences away from traditional TV viewership.

Now, with complete control over both TV and digital broadcasting, Reliance has the freedom to set its own prices.

Last year, IPL coincided with India’s general elections, leading advertisers to be more conservative with their budgets. But with a more favorable market this time, Reliance seized the opportunity to raise ad rates significantly.

More Money To Teams Too..

This season, Reliance is set to rake in a staggering ₹6,000-7,000 crore from advertising revenue alone. A total of 12 major brands have signed on as tournament sponsors, further boosting the league’s commercial appeal.

The 10 IPL teams are also cashing in, with sponsorship deals expected to bring in over ₹1,300 crore collectively.

Teams with massive fan followings—like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Gujarat Titans—are among the biggest beneficiaries, securing sponsorships worth ₹100-130 crore each.