JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, two renowned players in the Indian streaming industry, recently merged to form JioHotstar. The new video streaming app, launched on February 14, 2025, marked a significant turning point in the online content industry.
Disney+ Hotstar, or Hotstar, was a subscription-based video-on-demand streaming service owned by Disney Star, formerly Star India. It featured international and regional content and gained massive popularity by streaming premium Disney content, Marvel movies, Star Wars franchises, and live sporting events, including the Indian Premier League (IPL).
JioCinema, started in 2016, exclusively for Jio mobile subscribers. In April 2022, Viacom 18 invested heavily to boost the app’s streaming business, resulting in JioCinema streaming all World Cup matches for free, even for non-Jio users. Initially, it was widely criticised for technical concerns like buffering.
JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar Merger: Insights
- Discussions for the merger began in late 2024 and concluded on February 14, 2025.
- The consolidation follows Reliance Industries and Walt Disney’s merger of Indian media assets worth $8.5 billion.
- Reliance is the major stakeholder with 63.16% share (16.34% directly and 46.82% through Viacom18), while Disney Star holds the remaining 36.84% stake.
- Nita Ambani is the Chairperson, and Uday Shankar is the Vice Chairperson.
Features and Content Library: What Users Get?
- The newly formed platform features a variety of content, including Hollywood movies and series from Warner Bros, HBO, Paramount, Discovery, and NBCUniversal, making it the only Indian platform to feature content from multiple global studios.
- It will also stream ICC tournaments, IPL, WPL, Wimbledon, English Premier League, Pro Kabaddi, and ISL.
- JioHotstar has introduced 4K streaming, multi-angle viewing, real-time stats overlays for sports, AI-powered recommendations, and special interest feeds.
The Record-Breaking Viewership
On February 23, 2025, JioHotstar touched a record of 60.2 crore views during the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match. This record peaked even further on March 9, 2025, when the platform received 90.1 crore views on the day of the final match between India and New Zealand.
What Do Views Mean on JioStar?
The term ‘viewers’ on Indian online streaming platforms refers to the number of unique users engaging with the content. It does not count the number of times each user tunes in. ‘Views,’ on the other hand, refer to the total number of times the content was watched. This metric includes multiple views by the same user.
What are the Subscription Plans?
Existing Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema subscribers can continue using the service till their subscription expires. For new subscribers, the platform offers plans starting from Rs. 149 for three months for the ad-supported mobile-only plan and Rs. 299 per month for an ad-free experience. The ad-free tier allows simultaneous viewing across four screens.
The Future of The Indian Streaming Industry
India’s OTT market is expected to grow from $322.66 billion in 2025 to $1346.38 billion by 2034. This growth is attributed to several factors. Last year, Amazon acquired MX Player to expand its content slate and reach newer target audiences with 100 original shows and movies this year.
JioHotstar’s paid streaming service is also expected to drive significant growth in India’s subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) market, especially with the ongoing IPL 2025. The company aims to secure Rs. 4,500 crore in advertising revenue through this critical event. It is reportedly in conversation with Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone India to bundle its streaming operations with their data plans.
With its freemium model and expansive content library, JioHotstar is a strong competitor to Netflix and Prime Video. However, its long-term success depends on achieving the right balance between monetisation, accessibility, and user experience.