JioStar Expands Regional Sports Portfolio Ahead of IPL

HIGHLIGHTS:

• JioStar is rebranding five Sports18 channels to Star Sports, expanding its regional sports content ahead of IPL 2025.
• The network will launch two new HD channels, Star Sports 2 Telugu HD and Star Sports 2 Tamil HD, on March 15, 2025.
• The rebranding will result in a total of 24 channels in SD and HD formats across multiple languages.
• Star Sports 2 Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada channels will replace existing Sports18 channels.
• JioStar will discontinue nine channels, including Comedy Central, Vh1, MTV Beats, and Star Kiran HD.

Reliance Industries, Disney, and Bodhi Tree's joint venture, JioStar, is rebranding its sports channels in preparation for the next Indian Premier League (IPL). The move is intended to enhance the network's regional sports content. Five Sports18 channels will be rebranded as Star Sports channels as part of this exercise. With the rebranding and new launches, JioStar's sports bouquet will grow to 24 channels in SD and HD formats in various languages.

Starting from March 15, 2025, the following channel changes will occur:

Sports18 1 → Star Sports 2 Hindi 

Sports18 2 → Star Sports 2 Telugu 

Sports18 3 → Star Sports 2 Tamil 

Sports18 Khel → Star Sports Khel 

Sports18 1 HD → Star Sports 2 Hindi HD 

Star Sports First → Star Sports 2 Kannada

The network will also be launching Star Sports 2 Telugu HD and Star Sports 2 Tamil HD on March 15, 2025.

The network will also be launching two new high-definition channels, Star Sports 2 Telugu HD and Star Sports 2 Tamil HD, on 15th March 2025. The new launch will enhance the viewing experience of Telugu- and Tamil-speaking viewers by providing them with high-definition sports coverage along with exclusive content. These HD channels are strengthening the network further in the regions, providing localized, high-definition broadcasts to meet the increasing demands for localized sports entertainment in India's linguistically diverse regions.

With the rebranding and new channel launches, JioStar's sports portfolio will expand to 24 channels, spanning both SD and HD formats, and offering content in multiple languages.

As part of its portfolio restructuring, JioStar will be 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.