Grand Slams are not just major tournaments for tennis fans; they are an emotional experience. In India, the tennis fanbase has grown substantially in recent years, and many were eagerly waiting to watch and enjoy the US Open 2025 on JioHotstar. But instead of delight, what they’ve found is disappointment with the streamer’s overall coverage.
For Indian viewers, this year’s US Open has become a masterclass in frustration, thanks to JioHotstar’s flawed and problematic broadcast strategy.
SonyLIV set a high standard earlier this year with its excellent coverage of the Australian Open and French Open. Fans could jump seamlessly between multiple live courts, whether it was following a top seed’s early upset on an outside court or watching a rising star make their breakthrough.
But that freedom has been stripped away at the US Open 2025 under JioHotstar.
Totally Agree, poor selection n disastrous coverage by JioHotstar of both Wimbledon & US open now. Max 3 parallel matches live & its selection lacked basic tennis understanding. In comparison a wonderful 8 screen telecast by SonyLiv n Fancode of French & Aus Open. #JioHotstar
— Prakash Sinha (@Prakash87031556) September 4, 2025
Now no stream for women's doubles semi finals?????
It's semi-final ffs @JioHotstar https://t.co/ueouhpK0Xx— Arpit (@agentj08) September 3, 2025
Viewers report that the platform is showing at most three parallel matches at a time, a baffling limitation for a tournament that features dozens of simultaneous clashes.
This isn’t just a poor decision; it’s a disservice to the sport and a betrayal of fans. Tennis is global, and its coverage should reflect the breadth of talent and storylines.
Even more shocking, JioHotstar failed to stream the women’s doubles semifinal. Not airing a key semifinal match, especially one featuring top names like Taylor Townsend, Elise Mertens, Gabriela Dabrowski, and Sara Errani, is a significant failure for a broadcast rights holder.
Unfortunately, this is not JioHotstar’s first misstep. The platform has already been criticized for technical issues, buffering, and low-quality streams during other marquee events, including Wimbledon 2025. With the US Open, the problem goes deeper; it’s no longer just technical but strategic. By not giving fans a robust, multi-court experience, JioHotstar is cheating its audience.
For a company that has spent heavily to secure exclusive rights to premium sporting events, this is a glaring misstep. Buying rights is only half the battle; the other half, arguably the more important one, is delivering a world-class experience that matches the promise.
If JioHotstar cannot provide comprehensive, reliable, and multi-stream coverage of a Grand Slam, it risks losing the trust of India’s passionate and discerning sports fans. Stay tuned for more updates.
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