JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar come together to unveil JioHotstar

JioStar, the recently formed JV with the merger of Viacom18 and Star India, has announced the launch of JioHotstar, bringing together JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. This coming together of brands, expansive content, and a large audience and subscriber base marks a global milestone in the streaming industry. The platform has close to 3 lac hours of entertainment, live sports coverage, and more than 50 crore users.

Speaking on the launch of JioHotstar, Kiran Mani, CEO – Digital, JioStar said, “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. By integrating AI-driven recommendations and offering streaming in over 19 languages, we are personalizing content like never before.”

In line with its promise of making premium entertainment accessible to all, JioHotstar has invited everyone to come and watch all their favourite shows, movies and live sports without the need for a subscription. JioHotstar’s subscription plans start at Rs. 149. Existing JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar subscribers will be able to transition and set up their JioHotstar subscriptions.

JioHotstar will offer content from Disney, NBCUniversal Peacock, Warner Bros. Discovery HBO, and Paramount – all on the same platform.

Additionally, the platform has introduced ‘Sparks’, a flagship initiative spotlighting India’s biggest digital creator through engaging formats.

“JioHotstar is setting a new benchmark for digital-first entertainment. The platform is immersive, inclusive, and audience centric. While we have endless entertainment to offer, we are committed to continually innovate and elevate storytelling, ensuring that every Indian, regardless of language, discovers content they love,” added Kevin Vaz, CEO – Entertainment, JioStar, while elaborating on the entertainment offering.

JioHotstar is the home of tournaments like ICC events, IPL, and WPL, while also spotlighting grassroots cricket with the Indian Street Premier League and pathway events from BCCI, ICC, and state associations. Beyond cricket, it is set to bring the Premier League and Wimbledon while powering domestic leagues like Pro Kabaddi and ISL.

JioHotstar features ultra-HD 4K streaming, AI-powered insights, real-time stats overlays, multi-angle viewing and range of 'culture' and 'special interest' feeds.

Emphasising the platform’s transformative role in sports, Sanjog Gupta, CEO – Sports, JioStar, said, “Sports in India is more than just a game—it’s passion, pride, and a shared experience that unites millions. JioHotstar is revolutionizing how fans experience live sports, combining the best of technology, access, and innovation. Whether it’s the high-octane IPL, the drama of the Champions Trophy, or the electric atmosphere of a Premier League showdown, we are committed to delivering an experience that is as immersive as being in the stadium itself. We saw this innovation extend beyond sports with the overwhelming response to Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres livestream, and we are excited to continue breaking new ground.”

JioHotstar’s new brand identity is said to embody its vision for boundless entertainment. The ‘Big Bang’ symbolises the dawn of a new era, while the ‘Ripples’ radiate outward, representing energy, transformation, and innovation.

Beyond entertainment, JioHotstar presents opportunities for brands and advertisers. With its audience reach, ad formats, and data-driven personalisation, the platform will offer  ways for businesses to engage meaningfully with consumers.

The JioHotstar brand identity was developed by global creative transformation company, venturethree.