In a dramatic twist that’s reshaping India’s digital entertainment landscape, Disney+ Hotstar has vanished overnight—replaced by JioHotstar, a new streaming titan born from an $8.5 billion merger between Reliance Industries and Disney. The rebranded platform now dominates 80% of India’s OTT market, combining Reliance’s JioCinema library with Disney’s global franchises like Marvel and Star Wars.
How JioHotstar Outplayed Netflix and Amazon
The merger, finalized in November 2024, merges Reliance’s telecom dominance with Disney’s content arsenal. Key strategies include:
- Free cricket streaming: Live 2025 Champions Trophy and SA20 matches at no cost on mobile devices
- Regional content explosion: 17 language options including Tamil crime thriller Kerala Crime Files and Bengali drama Anurager Chhowa
- Global hits: Exclusive access to HBO’s House of the Dragon and Paramount+ originals
The Censorship Controversy No One Saw Coming
While celebrating its February 2025 launch, JioHotstar faced backlash for abruptly editing scenes deemed “vulgar” in shows like Engaged: Roka Ya Dhoka?. Critics accuse the platform of imposing conservative standards without transparency.
What’s Next for Streaming Wars?
Industry analysts predict:
| Trend | Impact |
|---|---|
| Price wars | Premium plans slashed by 40% to ₹499/year |
| AI integration | Personalized dubbing for regional markets rolling out Q3 2025 |
| Sports monopoly | Exclusive rights to 2026 T20 World Cup secured |
