JioHotstar: A New Era in Streaming Content

Combined Platform Offers 300,000 Hours of Entertainment
The recent merger between Reliance Industries Limited and The Walt Disney Company has given birth to JioHotstar, a new streaming service that boasts an impressive 300,000 hours of content. This merger combines Reliance's JioCinema with Disney+ Hotstar, creating a platform that claims to have over 500 million users.

Image courtesy of JioHotstar
© JioHotstar

Current Availability of Services

As of now, both JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar remain operational through their respective applications. The Disney+ Hotstar app has auto-updated to feature the new logo and a combined content library. Meanwhile, the original JioCinema app still offers its content library, along with a prompt for users to transition to the new JioHotstar app. Subscribers of either service can access JioHotstar until their current subscription expires.

Anime Content on JioHotstar

Anime fans will be pleased to know that several popular titles from JioCinema are available on the new platform, including:

• Demon Slayer
• Spy×Family
• Tokyo Revengers
• That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

In May 2024, JioCinema launched an Anime Hub for premium subscribers, enhancing its anime offerings. Disney+ Hotstar also contributes a limited selection of anime, featuring titles such as:

• Overlord films
• Tatami Time Machine Blues
• Aoashi

However, following the merger announcement, Disney+ Hotstar removed several anime titles, including:

• Dr. Stone
• Heavenly Delusion
• Summer Time Rendering
• Black Clover

Leadership Structure of JioHotstar

The newly formed JioHotstar will operate under three distinct leadership roles:

• Kiran Mani - CEO of Digital
• Kevin Vaz - CEO of Broadcast Entertainment
• Sanjog Gupta - CEO of Sports

Background on Disney+ Hotstar

Disney+ Hotstar has been a significant player in the Indian streaming market since its launch. In October 2022, Sajith Sivanandan was appointed as the executive vice president and head of the service. The platform crossed 50 million paid subscribers in India by May 2022.

Originally launched by 21st Century Fox in February 2015, the service was integrated with Disney+ in February 2020. Notably, it has streamed exclusive titles such as the anime adaptation of Masakazu Ishiguro's Heavenly Delusion and the Tatami Time Machine Blues anime.

Source: Press release, Variety (Naman Ramachandan)