Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries has announced impressive financial and operational results from its media and entertainment division, JioStar, for the quarter ending June 30. This success was significantly fueled by record-breaking digital and television viewership during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament, which captivated audiences across the nation.

India’s financial year operates from April to March, marking this period as the company’s inaugural fiscal quarter for FY2025–26. This timing is crucial as it aligns with the seasonal trends in consumer spending and media consumption, impacting overall performance metrics and strategic planning for the upcoming quarters.

JioStar reported remarkable revenues of INR11,222 crore (approximately $1.3 billion), a substantial increase from INR11,032 crore (around $1.28 billion) in the previous quarter. Furthermore, EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) surged to INR1,017 crore (approximately $118.1 million), up from INR774 crore (about $89.9 million), illustrating improved financial health and operational efficiency with margins climbing to 10.6% from 8.1%.

JioHotstar, the flagship streaming service of Reliance, averaged over 460 million monthly active users during this quarter and achieved more than 1.04 billion Android downloads. The driving force behind this growth was the 2025 IPL, which alone attracted 652 million viewers—a remarkable 28% year-on-year increase. The platform recorded peak concurrency during the IPL final at 55.2 million, marking it as the most-watched T20 match ever streamed digitally. Across both platforms, IPL 2025 garnered a staggering total of 1.19 billion viewers.

Traditional television viewership also experienced a significant uptick. The JioStar network reached over 800 million viewers during the quarter, capturing a commanding 35.5% share of the entertainment viewership market. Star Plus dominated as the leading Hindi-language general entertainment channel, featuring six of the top ten shows, while Star Utsav emerged as the top-ranked free-to-air channel on DD Free Dish. Additionally, regional flagships such as Star Pravah, Star Jalsha, Star Maa, and Asianet continued to excel in their respective markets, showcasing their strong local appeal.

In terms of entertainment offerings, JioHotstar achieved its highest-ever monthly watch time in June. The series Legal Justice launched as the largest streaming original of 2025, as reported by Ormax Media, while the film Kesari 2 became the most-watched Indian movie of the year on the platform. Furthermore, international content thrived, with Mufasa: The Lion King becoming JioHotstar’s most-viewed international title to date, reflecting the platform’s diverse content strategy and audience engagement.

The company has also secured exclusive digital rights to India’s ongoing five-Test cricket series against England, further enhancing its sports portfolio, which already includes the prestigious ICC World Test Championship Final. This strategic acquisition positions Reliance as a key player in the sports broadcasting arena, catering to the growing demand for live sports content in India.

Net profit after tax more than doubled to $67.4 million, a significant increase from $26.6 million. Operating revenue reached $1.11 billion, while depreciation and finance costs were reported at $36.7 million and $13.7 million, respectively. These figures underscore the robust financial performance of Reliance’s media and entertainment business, which is gaining momentum in a competitive landscape.

“Reliance’s media business has established itself as a comprehensive platform for entertainment, sports, and news content from around the globe. We will continue to enhance our array of offerings across various genres to meet the expectations of the discerning Indian audience,” stated Ambani. This commitment to quality and diversity indicates Reliance’s intention to remain at the forefront of the evolving media landscape in India.