Reliance's JioHotstar Launches Internationally Without Live Sports
JioHotstar, the streaming platform owned by Reliance Industries in India, is launching internationally for the first time under its new brand name. It will replace Hotstar in the UK, Canada, and Singapore starting September 2 with a focus on entertainment content but without live sports that are central to its success in India. The service offers over 160,000 hours of Indian films, TV shows like Bigg Boss, and Star-branded channels. It is available via app stores and connected TVs. The absence of cricket events such as the IPL reflects current content agreements but leaves room for future additions. JioHotstar aims to cater not only to South Asian audiences in these countries but also broader global viewers interested in Indian culture. Pricing mirrors previous Hotstar plans, with quarterly subscriptions starting at £19.99 (UK), CA$19.99 (Canada), and SG$29.98 (Singapore). The move follows a 2024 merger of Reliance's media assets with Disney to form an $8.5 billion joint venture.
Topics: brand_relaunch entertainment_content global_expansion