Fancode Explained: India’s Fast-Growing Sports Streaming Platform

What is Fancode?

Fancode is an Indian sports streaming platform that offers live cricket, football, and other sports content through a mobile app and web portal. Launched in 2020 by Fancode Media, it provides both free ad‑supported and premium subscription options for fans across India.

How did Fancode start and who founded it?

Fancode was founded by former cricket journalist Prashant Bhatia and technology entrepreneur Anshul Sharma. The company raised an initial seed round of $2 million in 2019, followed by a $5 million Series A round in 2021 led by Sequoia Capital India.

Which sports and competitions does Fancode cover?

Fancode focuses primarily on cricket and football, but it has expanded to include basketball, tennis, and kabaddi. Its cricket portfolio includes:

• Live streaming of the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy (domestic Indian cricket) since 2021.
• Highlights and live commentary for the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the ICC T20 World Cup.
• International matches involving India’s men’s and women’s teams, streamed under a partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for select series.

For football, Fancode streams the I-League, Indian Super League (highlights), and selected European league matches under sublicensing agreements.

What are the subscription plans and pricing?

Fancode offers three pricing tiers that cater to casual viewers and dedicated fans.

Each plan adjusts access to live streams, ad experience, and exclusive content.

How many users does Fancode have?

According to the company’s 2023 press release, Fancode reached 3.2 million downloads on Android and iOS combined, with an average of 1.6 million monthly active users (MAU) during the 2023 cricket season.

Is Fancode available outside India?

Fancode’s primary market is India, but the app is available in the United States, United Arab Emirates, and Canada through the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. International users can only access non‑restricted content such as highlights and analysis, while live domestic matches remain geo‑blocked to Indian IP addresses.

How does Fancode generate revenue?

The platform’s revenue model includes:

• Subscription fees from premium users (approximately 12% conversion from free users as of 2023).
• Advertising revenue from the free tier, with CPM rates reported at $4.50 for video ads in the Indian market.
• Licensing deals with sports leagues that pay Fancode a share of broadcast rights for digital distribution.

What technology powers Fancode’s streaming?

Fancode uses a cloud‑native architecture built on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and leverages Amazon CloudFront for low‑latency content delivery. The app supports adaptive bitrate streaming (ABR) to automatically adjust video quality based on network conditions, ensuring smooth playback on 3G, 4G, and 5G networks.

How does Fancode compare with competitors like Disney+ Hotstar and SonyLIV?

While Disney+ Hotstar and SonyLIV dominate the Indian OTT market with broad entertainment libraries, Fancode differentiates itself by:

• Specializing exclusively in sports, allowing deeper statistical integration and live chat features.
• Offering a lower premium price point (INR 299 vs. INR 399 for Disney+ Hotstar Sports).
• Providing localized commentary in ten Indian languages, a feature not widely available on larger platforms.

Future outlook: What’s next for Fancode?

In its 2024 roadmap, Fancode announced plans to acquire exclusive digital rights for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) and to launch a “Fancode Plus” feature that will incorporate AI‑generated match predictions and real‑time sentiment analysis from social media. The company also aims to increase its MAU to 2 million by the end of 2025 through regional marketing campaigns.

Key statistics at a glance

• Founded: 2020
• Series A funding: $5 million (2021)
• Downloads (2023): 3.2 million
• Monthly active users (2023): 1.6 million
• Premium conversion rate (2023): 12%

How to download and set up Fancode on Android or iOS?

Downloading Fancode is straightforward on both Android and iOS platforms.

1. Open the Google Play Store (Android) or the Apple App Store (iOS).
2. Search for “Fancode” and select the official app published by Fancode Media.
3. Tap “Install” (Android) or “Get” (iOS) and wait for the download to complete (average 30 seconds on 4G).
4. Launch the app, grant notification and location permissions, and either sign in with a mobile number or continue as a guest.
5. If you choose a premium plan, navigate to “Profile → Subscription” and complete payment via credit card, UPI, or net banking.

What does the user interface look like during a live match?

During a live broadcast, the main screen shows the video feed with a collapsible scorecard on the right side. Below the video, users can access real‑time statistics, ball‑by‑ball commentary, and a live chat pane where fans discuss each delivery. The interface also provides quick buttons for changing camera angles, enabling picture‑in‑picture mode, and sharing highlights on social media.

Can I watch Fancode on smart TVs or streaming devices?

Fancode released a dedicated Android TV app in March 2023, which can be installed on any TV running Android 11 or higher. The app mirrors the mobile experience, supporting premium playback, multi‑language commentary, and a remote‑friendly navigation menu. Users of Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV must cast from their phone using Chromecast or AirPlay, as no native apps exist for those platforms yet.

What are the common criticisms and areas for improvement?

Despite rapid growth, users often cite occasional buffering during high‑traffic matches, limited regional language options beyond the ten offered, and a lack of comprehensive statistics for non‑cricket sports. Critics also point out that the free tier includes repetitive ad breaks, and that the app’s search function sometimes fails to locate older match replays. Fancode has acknowledged these issues and promises performance upgrades in its 2025 roadmap.

Is Fancode safe and does it respect user privacy?

Fancode complies with India’s Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures) Rules, 2011 and stores user data on encrypted AWS servers located in the Asia‑Pacific region. The privacy policy, updated in January 2024, states that personal identifiers such as phone numbers are used only for authentication and do not share with third‑party advertisers without explicit consent. Users can delete their accounts directly from the app, which triggers complete data erasure within 30 days.

Overall, Fancode has positioned itself as a niche yet rapidly expanding player in India’s crowded OTT landscape, leveraging sports‑first content, affordable pricing, and multilingual commentary to attract millions of fans. Continued investment in technology, broader language support, and smoother streaming during peak demand will be key to maintaining its growth trajectory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch international cricket matches on Fancode?

Fancode provides live coverage of select international fixtures involving India’s men’s and women’s teams under a BCCI partnership. For other overseas series, the platform offers highlights and audio commentary, but full live streams are limited to matches where digital rights have been secured.

Is there a free trial for the premium plan?

Yes, new users can access a 7‑day free trial of the Premium Monthly plan. During the trial, all ad‑free features, full‑match replays, and multi‑language commentary are available. The trial automatically converts to a paid subscription unless cancelled before the period ends.

How does Fancode handle data usage on mobile networks?

Fancode streams using adaptive bitrate technology, which adjusts video quality to conserve data on slower connections. Users can also manually select low‑resolution (360p) mode, typically consuming about 150 MB per hour of live cricket.

What languages are supported for commentary?

Fancode offers live commentary in ten Indian languages: Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, and Punjabi. Users can switch languages from the match screen without restarting the stream.

Is Fancode available on Apple TV?

A native Apple TV app does not exist yet. Apple TV users can still watch Fancode by casting from an iPhone or iPad via AirPlay, provided the content is allowed for the user’s region.