JioStar announces the launch of JioHotstar.
Months after the merger of Walt Disney and Reliance Industries, the launch of JioHotstar was announced Friday, combining the vast content libraries of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. The Disney+ Hotstar app has been updated to JioHotstar and subscribers of Disney+ Hotstar can access all the content on the app for now. The service offers ad-based plans starting from $5.7 per year.
JioHotstar launched
Combining the content from Jio Cinema and Disney+ Hotstar, JioStar is the new platform for live entertainment and sports in India. For now, JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar subscribers have been given the option to continue their plans.
JioHotstar offers content across 10 languages including TV programs, originals and blockbuster films, anime, as well as international premieres. JioHotstar will also offer Disney, NBCUniversal Peacock, Warner Bros. Discovery HBO, and Paramount content.
JioHotstar Subscription plans
Currently, JioHotstar is offering two three subscription plans. Among these are two ad-based plans and one ad-free subscription for viewers. The platform guarantees unlimited live sports (Cricket, Tennis grand slams, Premier League and more), latest Indian movie digital premieres, Hotstar Specials, and Star serials before TV; and Disney+ Originals, popular Disney movies & kids’ shows (in English & select Indian languages) to all subscribers irrespective of their subscription plan.
One subscription starts at $5.7 annual subscription fees and offers access to the platform on one mobile device at a time. Subscribers can also get the plan for a span of three months by paying $1.7.
The second ad-based subscription offers access to the platform on two devices at a time. The plan has an annual fee of $10.9 and another option of a payment of $3.4 is for three months of access.
The premium ad-free plan is available for an annual subscription of $17.3. It grants access to the platform on all formats (mobile, TV, web) on four devices at a time. A notable point in this subscription is that the live content, including live sports events, continue to be ad-based. The plan can also be accessed at a monthly rate of $3.4.
AI guides personalization at JioHotstar
Promising ‘infinite possibilities, JioStar CEO Digital Kiran Mani says in a press statement that the powerful vision of making premium content accessible to all Indian is the core of JioHotstar. Mani also talks about the use of AI for improving the experience of JioHotstar viewers. “By integrating AI-driven recommendations and offering streaming in over 19 languages, we are personalizing content like never before.”
Sports on JioHotstar
JioCinema has been the go-to platform several flagship sports events and JioHotstar will continue to provide the experience for viewers. Important tournaments of cricket, the Street Premier League as well as Indian sports such as Kabbadi will be showcased on the platform.
Acknowledging that sports is not just game in India but a shared experience that unites millions, CEO – Sports, JioStar Sanjog Gupta says, “JioHotstar is revolutionizing how fans experience live sports, combining the best of technology, access, storytelling, and innovation with the fan at the heart of everything. We are now taking this philosophy beyond sports by bringing culture-defining live experiences to our audiences. The overwhelming response to Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres live-stream has set us off on this exciting new journey towards infinite possibilities.”
‘Sparks’ at JioHotstar
In a press release, the platform introduced ‘Sparks’, a flagship initiative which aims at spotlighting India’s digital creators through innovative formats. CEO – Entertainment at JioStar Kevin Vaz says, “JioHotstar has endless entertainment to offer, and we are committed to continually innovate and elevate storytelling, ensuring that every Indian, regardless of language, discovers content they love.”
