JioHotstar Launched in India: What It Means for Users
JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar have introduced JioHotstar in India
The newly-formed joint venture between Viacom18 and Star India has announced the launch of JioHotstar, combining JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar into a single streaming platform. With this merger, the company aims to integrate its vast user base and content library under one service.
JioHotstar has introduced a free tier, allowing users to stream certain content without a subscription. For those seeking an uninterrupted and enhanced experience, subscription plans start at ₹149 per quarter. Existing JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar subscribers will transition automatically.
Users with active JioCinema subscriptions will be upgraded to JioHotstar Premium for the remaining duration, after which their Hotstar plan will resume. Hotstar Mobile plan subscribers will continue with their existing entitlements post-merger.
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Content and Features
JioHotstar will feature a mix of Indian and international entertainment, including content from Warner Bros., NBCUniversal, Discovery, HBO, and Paramount. The platform will also offer access to major sporting events, including ICC tournaments, IPL, WPL, Premier League, Wimbledon, Pro Kabaddi, and ISL.
New features include ultra-HD 4K streaming, AI-powered content recommendations, real-time sports stats overlays, and multi-angle viewing. Content will be available in over 19 languages.
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Additionally, the platform has introduced 'Sparks,' a feature designed to showcase digital creators.
With over 50 crore users and a library of three lakh hours of entertainment, JioHotstar is being positioned as one of India's largest streaming platforms. The merger reflects ongoing consolidation trends in the streaming industry, aiming to offer a more comprehensive digital entertainment experience.
JioStar has positioned the merger as a move to make premium content more accessible. However, the long-term impact on pricing, content exclusivity, and competition in the OTT space remains to be seen.