JioStar has announced the launch of its new streaming platform, JioHotstar, which integrates 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 3 lakh hours of content.
Apart from original content, the new platform will also be home to international content from the likes of 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, IPL, WPL and other domestic tournaments. Other sporting events will also be available on the JioHotstar app, including English Premier League, Wimbledon, Pro Kabaddi League and ISL.
The new streaming app will come with features such as ultra HD 4K streaming, multi-angle viewing, AI-powered insights and real-time stats overlays.
JioHotstar will come with an ad-supported free tier, while paid plans will start at ₹149. Meanwhile, 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 the future. On visiting the Hotstar.com website, the user is greeted with the message that the content from JioCinema is now available on JioHotstar.
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 the joint venture was established in November that year.
Reliance owns a 60 per cent stake in the merger— 16 per cent directly and 47 per cent through its Viacom18 Media business, which it largely owns, whereas Disney will own 37 per cent.
