JioCinema will be consolidated into Disney+ Hotstar due to its superior tech infrastructure, according to The Economic Times (ET).
Reliance Industries will retain Disney+ Hotstar as the sole streaming platform after the merger of Star India and Viacom18, people aware of the matter told ET.
The reshuffle exercise will see Disney+ Hotstar absorbing JioCinema, positioning the former as the primary streaming platform for the combined entity. With the Star-Viacom18 merger in its final stages, RIL aims to stream the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Disney+ Hotstar.
Initially, RIL explored various strategies for the proposed merged entity’s streaming business. At one point, the company considered integrating Disney+ Hotstar into JioCinema, or operating two separate platforms—one for sports and another for entertainment.
Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema employees were informed of the decision earlier this week. RIL declined to comment on the development.
Both platforms have a robust content library, boasting over 200,000 hours of content, including premium broadcast content from Star and Viacom18’s channels. They also lead in live sports streaming, offering the IPL, ICC, BCCI, and Premier League, alongside Hollywood content from Disney, HBO, NBC Universal, and Paramount Global.
The consolidation of services under Hotstar is likely to have significant implications for the Indian streaming market. With many competitors vying for attention, this merger sets a new precedent for collaboration between major players. It highlights the importance of scale in the streaming industry, where content libraries and subscriber numbers play a crucial role in attracting and retaining viewers.
Moreover, this shift could lead to changes in pricing strategies. As Hotstar consolidates exclusive content, it may opt for bundled subscription models, offering viewers greater value for their investment. This could enhance customer loyalty and drive subscription growth, especially in a price-sensitive market like India.
Competing streaming services Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and local players are also ramping up their offerings to capture the growing digital audience in India.
Sources: The Economic Times, Brandz Magazine
