JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar have merged to create JioHotstar, a powerful streaming platform for India. This move comes after Reliance and Disney’s $8.5 billion merger, forming a joint venture that dominates India’s streaming industry.
JioHotstar provides thousands of hours of content, including:
- Over 100 live TV channels
- Movies and shows from Disney, Warner Bros, HBO, NBCUniversal, and Paramount
- Content in 19 languages
- More than 30,000 hours of television programming annually
With a vision to reach 50 crore users, JioHotstar is making entertainment more accessible than ever. JioHotstar offers free content, but with restrictions. Users can watch a limited number of hours for free every month. However, Hollywood movies won’t be included in the free tier. This strategy aims to attract more viewers and encourage them to upgrade to paid plans.
Subscription Plans and Pricing
JioHotstar introduces affordable subscription plans:
- ₹149 ($1.71) for three months (Ad-supported, single screen)
- ₹299 ($3.45) per month (Ad-free, four screens)
The Catch: No More Free IPL Streaming
One of the biggest changes is that IPL 2025 will not be free to stream. While JioCinema previously offered free IPL streaming, JioHotstar will now require a minimum ₹149 subscription for mobile users. Some limited free IPL viewing may be available before prompting users to subscribe.
Why This Merger Matters?
JioCinema will be phased out after existing subscriptions end. Users will automatically transition to JioHotstar without losing their content access. This consolidation highlights how global media companies struggle in India’s price-sensitive market. Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime have invested heavily in local content but still face difficulties growing paid subscribers. JioHotstar’s hybrid free and paid model could reshape the Indian OTT landscape.
