SonyLIV free users will now have to watch ads to download videos

SonyLIV, the over-the-top freemium streaming platform owned by Sony Pictures Networks India has rolled out a new update whereby its free users would have to watch mandatory ads in order to be able to download videos that they may later watch when offline. Earlier this was not the case and free users could download the videos without being forced to watch these ads.

If a user does not wish to watch the ads before being able to download the videos then he can choose to pay for a premium subscription plan offered by Sony and go ad-free. SonyLIV currently offers 3 plans which offer ad-free viewing of content, the WWE Network plan priced at Rs 299 offers 1-year subscription, the Special+ plan priced at Rs 399 offers a one-year subscription along with access to live channels and the premium plan offers all the above features along with access to English content and LIV originals and comes in monthly, half-yearly and annual duration plans priced at Rs 299, 699 and 999 respectively.

Recently SonyLIV signed an agreement with MX Player whereby its entire TV content library is available on MX player to stream for free. MX player does not give access to any of the premium content from SonyLIV. Now that SPNI and ZEEL have signed a definitive and binding agreement to merge both companies operations we will eventually see a merger of the OTT platforms SonyLIV and ZEE5 and both their content libraries coming together under a common roof.