By Mohit Singhania | Updated: 25 June 2025
You thought only free users get ads on Hotstar?
Naah bhai, even premium customers are getting served more ads than tea at an Indian wedding.
From live cricket to Marvel movies, Hotstar’s ad game has reached peak jugaadu levels.
And the worst part? You’re not even warned. They just sneak in the ads like coriander in your chowmein.
Let’s expose the full truth behind this streaming scam — with spice, facts, and some solid viewer rage.
The IPL Trap: Ads Galore, Even After You Pay
Here’s how they pull the ultimate bait-and-switch:
You pay ₹1,499 for the Premium plan thinking, “No ads, smooth streaming.”
But then you’re watching an India vs Pakistan World Cup match and suddenly…
“Lagaao Garnier ka tel, baalo ko do extra care!”
Yup. Mid-over, drinks break, or even during match analysis — Hotstar blasts ads like it’s 2010 again.
And we verified it: Even Premium users are not spared from sports ads.
No joke — pause the match on your smart TV, and boom, a pause-ad hijacks your screen.
They literally serve you an ad when you’re just trying to breathe.
Movies & Shows Also Getting Bombarded
It’s not just cricket. Even if you’re watching Aarya or Loki, Hotstar sneaks in:
- 3–6 unskippable ads
- Repeated product jingles (same ad again and again, like broken record)
- Pre-roll, mid-roll, and pause-roll — the full masala ad thali
And the irony?
Even subscribers are treated like freeloaders.
How Hotstar Is Playing 4D Ad Chess
They’re using:
- SSAI (Server-Side Ad Insertion) — lets them drop ads mid-scene, with no warning
- Pause ads on Smart TVs – because even your remote isn’t safe
- Viewer profiling – based on what you watch, they hit you with targeted ads
Basically, they’ve built a system that knows exactly when to ruin your mood.
Viewer Reactions: Rage Mode Activated
From Reddit to X (Twitter), here’s what viewers are saying:
“I pay for Premium. Why am I still watching 4 ads every 10 minutes???”
— Rahul, Mumbai
“Hotstar ads during cricket make me want to throw my TV.”
— Preeti, Bengaluru
It’s not even subtle anymore. It’s like buying a VIP ticket and still being asked to stand outside.
Masala Verdict – Hotstar’s Full Ad Curry
| Feature | Reality |
|---|---|
| Ads during live sports | Unskippable & loud |
| Ads on premium movies | Active & repeat-heavy |
| Pause ads on Smart TVs | “Innovative torture” |
| Skip option for ads | Not available |
| User control | Zilch |
Masala Meter:
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (4/5 – Full paisa vasool for advertisers, not for users)
How To Survive the Adpocalypse
Here are your escape plans:
- Switch to truly ad-free platforms
Apple TV+ | MUBI India | Sony LIV Premium - Use browser-based ad blockers (only works on desktop, not on Smart TVs)
uBlock Origin Chrome Extension - Choose value platforms like JioCinema Premium
JioCinema Premium Plans - Or just accept that Hotstar = ad-star.
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Final Thoughts
Hotstar isn’t just serving cricket anymore—it’s serving chaos.
You pay. You stay. You still see ads.
It’s the ultimate streaming scam, and they’re betting you won’t cancel because… cricket.
But here at TechMasala.in, we say it like it is.
Don’t just binge. Binge smart.
Bookmark us, and stay one step ahead of OTT frauds.
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