Mumbai (Maharashtra), February 14: JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, two of India’s leading digital entertainment platforms, have merged to form JioHotstar, marking a significant shift in the Indian streaming industry. This merger comes as a part of the newly formed JioStar, the joint venture resulting from the merger of Viacom18 and Star India.
The newly launched JioHotstar promises to provide an expansive content library with close to 3 lac hours of entertainment, unmatched live sports coverage, and an audience base of over 50 crore users. The platform aims to unlock infinite possibilities for users by offering a comprehensive and diverse content slate.
Kiran Mani, CEO – Digital, JioStar, expressed the platform’s core vision, stating, “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.”
JioHotstar aims to redefine entertainment for 1.4 billion Indians by offering content in 10 languages, including AI-driven recommendations to personalize the user experience. The platform will bring an extensive selection of TV programming, blockbuster films, reality entertainment, anime, and international premieres to its users.
The merger also brings the best of Hollywood to the platform, with content from Disney, NBCUniversal Peacock, Warner Bros. Discovery HBO, and Paramount. JioHotstar also introduces ‘Sparks’, an initiative to showcase India’s biggest digital creators through innovative formats.
Kevin Vaz, CEO – Entertainment, JioStar, stated, “JioHotstar is setting a new benchmark for digital-first entertainment. The platform is immersive, inclusive, and audience-centric. We are committed to continually innovate and elevate storytelling, ensuring that every Indian, regardless of language, discovers content they love.”
JioHotstar will also serve as the home for major sports tournaments, including ICC events, IPL, WPL, the Premier League, Wimbledon, and domestic leagues like Pro Kabaddi and ISL. The platform will enhance the sports experience with ultra-HD 4K streaming, AI-powered insights, real-time analytics overlays, multi-angle watching, and various ‘cultural’ and ‘special interest’ feeds.
Sanjog Gupta, CEO – Sports, JioStar, added, “Sports in India is more than just a game—it’s a shared experience that unites millions. JioHotstar is revolutionizing how fans experience live sports, combining the best of technology, access, storytelling, and innovation.”
The subscription plans for JioHotstar start at Rs. 149/quarter, offering an uninterrupted and enhanced streaming experience. Existing JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar subscribers will be able to seamlessly transition to the JioHotstar platform.
The new brand identity of JioHotstar symbolizes boundless entertainment, with the ‘Big Bang’ representing a new era, and the ‘Ripples’ radiating outward to signify energy, transformation, and innovation.