JioHotstar, the merger of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, is now officially live. The new platform has over 500 million users and a content library exceeding 300,000 hours. This makes JioHotstar India’s largest OTT platform soon after the launch.
JioHotstar brings together large content libraries of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. It offers the latest Bollywood blockbusters, regional cinema (Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi, and more), and exclusive digital premieres.. It also comes with Disney’s extensive Hollywood collection including Disney Classics, Pixar Films, Marvel and Star Wars Universes, along with 20th Century Studios and FX Shows. The platform will continue to invest in original content with Hotstar Specials.
One of the key strengths of JioHotstar is its access to Star India’s massive TV content library. Users can watch their favorite daily soaps, reality shows, and serials from Star Plus, Star Bharat, Star Vijay, Star Jalsha, and more, including early access before TV broadcast.
Key Features of JioHotstar
A Massive Content Library: JioHotstar offers everything from Bollywood and Hollywood to regional cinema, alongside a strong portfolio of TV shows and sports events.
AI-Powered Recommendations: JioHotstar introduces machine learning-based recommendations, promising a more personalized viewing experience.
Multi-Language Support: With content available in over 19 languages, the platform aims to expand its reach beyond metro cities.
A Sports Streaming Powerhouse: With IPL, ICC events, FIFA, and more, JioHotstar strengthens its position as India’s go-to platform for sports fans.
JioHotstar Subscription Plans
If you were a JioCinema Premium subscriber, your subscription has automatically been moved to JioHotstar Premium for the remainder of your plan. Disney+ Hotstar subscribers can continue on their existing plans for three months before transitioning to JioHotstar.
JioHotstar offers three subscription tiers ranging from an affordable mobile-only plan to a premium, ad-free experience.
Here’s a table to show all subscription plans and benefits.
| Plan | Price | Devices | Ad-Supported | Access | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | ₹149 (3M) / ₹499 (Yearly) | 1 (Mobile only) | ✅ | All content (Live Sports, Movies, Disney+ Shows, Star Serials) | Renewal remains ₹149 per 3 months even after first-term discount |
| Super | ₹299 (3M) / ₹899 (Yearly) | 2 (Mobile, Web, Smart TV) | ✅ | All content | Included in Jio Broadband JioHotstar partner plan |
| Premium | ₹299 (Monthly) / ₹499 (3M) / ₹1,499 (Yearly) | 4 (Mobile, Web, Smart TV) | ❌ (except Live Sports & Live Shows) | All content | Monthly plan only available via web browser |
It is important to note that Reliance Industries acquired Disney for a merger deal valued at $8.5 billion. This merger resulted in the formation of JioStar, the parent company overseeing the new platform. This merger has combined Viacom18 and Star India’s TV channels, digital platforms, and sports rights into one unified entity.
The Reliance-Disney deal was finalized in August 2024 and created a media giant structured under three divisions.
- Entertainment – A network of TV channels from Viacom18 and Star India.
- Digital – Streaming services, now consolidated into JioHotstar.
- Sports – Bringing together IPL, ICC events, FIFA, and other major tournaments.
JioHotstar isn’t just another streaming platform. It already has a big content library and a large user base. So, it can easily stand tall against platforms like Netflix and Prime Video. With 500M+ users, JioHotstar is already a dominant force in the digital advertising space.
The question now is: Will Netflix, Prime Video, and others be able to compete? Let us know your thoughts.
