From being held in high regard among Indian OTT viewers for its spellbinding, gripping regional content to becoming one of the most complained-about platforms in the country, SonyLIV has had quite the rollercoaster ride over the last 2–3 months. For those who chose to watch this year’s Asia Cup on SonyLIV, controversies and all, the overall experience has been nothing short of a nightmare.
Amid growing user complaints about technical glitches and ad-heavy streaming, SonyLIV has once again come under fire, but this time for a different reason.
Cricket in India isn’t just a sport; it’s an emotion. For millions, the game’s biggest moments, a spectacular six, a crucial wicket, a match-winning catch, are shared experiences that unite fans everywhere. But a recent policy change by SonyLIV is putting a price tag on these moments, leaving a large section of its fan base feeling frustrated and even betrayed.
Previously, users could access short clips and full match highlights without a premium subscription. Now, even a 10–15-minute highlight package requires a paid plan. While this may make business sense for SonyLIV, it strikes at the very heart of cricket’s accessibility, a factor that has long fueled the sport’s immense popularity in India.
This is especially problematic when you consider the perspective of working professionals and busy viewers. Many of them don’t have the time, or the patience, to watch a full five-hour match. They simply want to catch the key moments on their own terms, whether during a lunch break or on a bus ride home. By putting highlights behind a paywall, SonyLIV risks alienating this crucial segment of casual fans.
Competitors like JioHotstar still offer cricket highlights for free, which makes SonyLIV’s move even harder to justify.
This situation highlights a fundamental truth: while the business of sports broadcasting continues to evolve, the emotional connection between fans and the game remains paramount. SonyLIV’s decision to hide highlights behind a paywall isn’t just a commercial gamble; it’s a strategic misstep that could erode audience trust and loyalty. Stay tuned for more updates.