By Abhay Ray 
Introduction
JioStar has announced the launch of its new streaming platform, JioHotstar, integrating the company’s two current services, JioCinema and Disney+Hotstar. The new platform is touted to be the largest in the Indian market, with a combined user base of over 50 crore and over three lakh hours of content.
The new platform will also offer international content from Disney, NBCUniversal’s Peacock, Warner Bros., Discovery, HBO, and Paramount. Meanwhile, cricket streaming is expected to be a major part of the JioHotstar offering with rights to many major ICC events including IPL, WPL and domestic tournaments. English Premier League, Wimbledon, Pro Kabaddi League and ISL will also be available on the JioHotstar app.
About JioHotstar
JioHotstar, a partnership between Reliance and Disney, unites JioCinema and Disney+Hotstar, offering an extensive content library featuring sports and international studio productions. Reliance and Disney’s combined JioHotstar platform is now live. This merger brings together India’s most valuable sports rights, including the Indian Premier League, International Cricket Council tournaments and the English Premier League as well as content from major international studios like Disney, Warner Bros., HBO, NBCUniversal Peacock, and Paramount, all under one roof.
According to a press note shared by JioStar, the new platform boasts of ‘close to 3 lakh hours of entertainment, and more than 50 crore users’. Speaking on the launch of JioHotstar, Kiran Mani, CEO, Digital, JioStar said, “At the core of JioHotstar is a powerful vision—to make premium entertainment truly accessible to all Indians. Our promise of Infinite Possibilities ensures that entertainment is no longer a privilege, but a shared experience for all. By integrating AI-driven recommendations and offering streaming in over 19 languages, we are personalizing content like never before.”
JioCinema – Disney+Hotstar Merger
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved the merger between Disney and Reliance Industries in August last year, and a joint venture was established in November that year. Reliance owns a 60 per cent stake in the merged company. Of this, it owns 16 per cent directly and 47 per cent through its Viacom18 Media business, which it largely owns. Disney owns 37 per cent stake in the merged entity.
New JioHotstar Plans to Replace old ones
JioHotstar will soon be replacing the old subscription plans with new ones. In the past week, the old JioCinema premium subscriptions ( ₹29 per month) for all users were paused. This had raised anticipation that the new platform will have different plans and slabs. While JioStar is yet to announce detailed plans, the press note mentions ‘compelling subscription plans tailored to diverse audience needs, starting at ₹ 149/quarter’. Existing JioCinema and Disney+Hotstar subscribers will be able to seamlessly transition and set up their JioHotstar subscriptions, the press note further informs. Existing users of both Disney+Hotstar and JioCinema will be migrated to the new platform.
Notably, the Disney+Hotstar app on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store has already transitioned to the JioHotstar name with the new logo. The new app currently has the same user interface as Disney+Hotstar, but this may change in future. On visiting the Hotstar.com website, the user is greeted with the message that the content from JioCinema is now available on JioHotstar.
Revolutionizing Sports Consumption and Entertainment
JioHotstar is positioning sports as the cornerstone of its audience engagement strategy. CEO Sanjog Gupta highlights the platform’s goal to transform how fans experience live sports, delivering immersive experiences akin to being at the stadium. With major sports rights including the IPL, ICC tournaments, and the Premier League, along with innovations such as 4K streaming and AI-powered stats overlays, JioHotstar is reshaping both sports and entertainment consumption. The platform’s wide-reaching content spans TV shows, original productions, and a diverse sports portfolio, establishing itself as a comprehensive digital ecosystem.
Unmatched Advertising Potential Through Data and Technology
The merger of JioCinema and Disney+Hotstar offers a unique opportunity for advertisers by combining Reliance’s telecom infrastructure, Jio’s consumer data, and Disney’s premium content. With over 400 million paid subscribers and exclusive access to marquee events, JioHotstar is set to revolutionize digital marketing through precision-targeted ads. However, concerns around market consolidation and the potential increase in ad costs have emerged, as the platform’s dominance could reduce advertisers’ negotiating power, making it a double-edged sword for the industry.
Challenges in Pricing Strategy and Market Impact
Despite its immense scale, JioHotstar’s biggest challenge lies in getting its pricing right in a cost-sensitive market. Unlike Netflix and Prime Video, which struggle with higher price points, JioHotstar’s freemium and low-cost model could disrupt the OTT space in India. However, industry experts warn that excessive ad loads and ad targeting could affect user experience. While the platform’s dominance could open new frontiers for digital marketing, smaller players may find it increasingly difficult to compete, raising questions about the long-term implications for innovation, competition, and pricing within the OTT ecosystem.
What happens when you try accessing JioCinema or Disney+Hotstar
As the app merges, users can’t access the JioCinema and Disney+Hotstar apps or websites separately. So, whenever you try to access these websites separately it will now be redirected to the new JioHotstar site. Meanwhile, users who already have the Disney+Hotstar app on their phones can find that the app has been already updated with the new JioHotstar look. Tapping on the app will open the merged JioHotstar app.
What happens to existing subscribers of JioCinema and Disney+Hotstar
Existing subscribers of both Disney+Hotstar and JioCinema will be able to retain their plans and benefits but will now have to use JioHotstar. JioCinema subscribers can still access the app, but all content will redirect to JioHotstar. Those with active JioCinema subscriptions must wait for their plan to expire or switch to the new platform. So, users who are already subscribed to either of the separate won’t lose their subscriptions and will be able to access JioHotstar for free until their respective plan lasts.
Conclusion
The merger of JioCinema and Disney+Hotstar into JioHotstar brings together extensive content, including top sports events and international productions, under one platform. With compelling subscription plans and seamless integration of AI-driven recommendations, it aims to enhance the entertainment experience for users across India. While the platform’s dominance offers significant advertising potential, it faces challenges in balancing pricing and user experience. Existing subscribers will enjoy uninterrupted access until their current plans expire, ensuring a smooth transition. JioHotstar is set to reshape the OTT landscape, offering a comprehensive, accessible entertainment ecosystem.
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