JioHotstar Streaming Platform Launched, Combines JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar

JioHotstar, the brand new streaming platform created by bringing collectively JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, was launched by JioStar on Friday. The newly created platform will host the whole content material library of each the over-the-top (OTT) platforms. Apart from reveals and films from the 2 merging entities, the platform may also host content material from numerous worldwide studios and streaming platforms. The JV has additionally introduced a free tier for the streaming service. Notably, the JioStar three way partnership was fashioned in November 2024 after the profitable merger of Viacom18 and Star India.

JioHotstar Streaming Platform Launched

In a press launch, JioStar introduced the launch of JioHotstar and shared particulars concerning the new streaming platform. The firm mentioned the brand new platform will characteristic roughly 300,000 hours of content material in addition to dwell sports activities protection.

At launch, the platform could have a complete person base of greater than 50 crore by combining the customers on each platforms. However, it isn’t clear whether or not the claimed quantity excludes duplicate accounts (folks with each JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar accounts). The new platform additionally will get a brand new emblem, which is actually the phrase JioHotstar alongside an asymmetrical seven-pointed star.

JioHotstar shall be free to entry and watch content material for now. Users won’t want a subscription to observe reveals, films, or dwell sports activities. However, it’s unclear if sure content material shall be behind a paywall. The JV added that there are subscription plans for these “on the lookout for an uninterrupted and enhanced expertise.” This possible implies that paying subscribers won’t be proven advertisements, they usually can stream the reveals at the next decision.

Coming to subscriptions, present subscribers of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar will routinely be transitioned to the brand new platform. The firm mentioned these customers will be capable to arrange their JioHotstar subscriptions when logging within the first time. New subscribers can flick thru the platform’s new plans beginning at Rs. 149.

JioHotstar will characteristic content material in 10 Indian languages throughout a variety of genres and content material codecs. Viewers will be capable to watch films, reveals, anime, documentaries, dwell sporting occasions, and extra. The firm additionally mentioned the platform will showcase worldwide premieres. Additionally, JioHotstar may also characteristic content material from Disney, NBCUniversal Peacock, Warner Bros., Discovery HBO, and Paramount.

The platform can be introducing a flagship initiative dubbed Sparks, which is able to highlight “India’s greatest digital creators” via distinctive codecs.