Mukesh Ambani, one of the richest persons in the world, has set a milestone with his company JioHotstar, doubling its targeted subscriber base and achieving over 100 million paid subscribers in less than two months since its mega launch on February 14, following the merger of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar.
The subscriber base includes both direct subscribers and those who joined through telco bundle deals. Notably, at the time of its launch, the JioStar-owned streaming platform JioHotstar had 50 million paid subscribers, in addition to 500 million users.
In 2024, Ambani mentioned that JioCinema achieved the fastest growth in its category, gaining 15 million paid subscribers in just 100 days. JioHotstar’s CEO of Digital, Kiran Mani, celebrated reaching 100 million subscribers. He attributed this success to a commitment to making high-quality entertainment widely available, highlighting India’s potential and the company’s dedication to innovation and expanding streaming accessibility.
On Valentine’s Day, Viacom18 and Star India’s merged entity, JioStar, debuted its streaming service, JioHotstar. This combined platform, integrating JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, provides over 300,000 hours of movies, television programs, and Hollywood productions.
JioHotstar, serving 1.4 billion people in 10 languages, has a mega content library with Hollywood giants like Disney, HBO, and Paramount. The library also includes a section called – Sparks – that highlights top digital creators.
The OTT platform is also a sports hub that streams IPL and ICC events and Premier Leagues, with features such as 4K streaming, AI insights, and multi-angle viewing for an out-of-the-box experience.
JioHotstar’s recent partnerships with major Indian telecom providers, Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vi, position it to compete effectively against streaming giants Netflix and Prime Video. Industry projections indicate significant growth in the video on-demand (OTT) market, with a substantial increase in both households and subscriptions expected by 2027.
A report suggests that internet service providers and telecom companies will likely bundle multiple OTT platforms, mirroring the model of digital platform operators in traditional television. However, the report emphasizes the importance of offering consumers customizable OTT packages.
It also mentioned that JioHotstar is expected to become the dominant “first subscription pack” in the coming days, majorly contributing to market growth. However, most of the things will depend on its pricing around the cricket extravaganza – IPL.
In their valuation process before the November 13th merger, Reliance Industries and Disney, joint venture partners in the USD8.5 billion JioStar, assigned a higher value to their streaming services, Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema, than to their traditional linear television operations.
In another major milestone for RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani, JioHotstar doubled its subscribers to 100 million since its launch on February 14. The rapid growth in subscribers comes after the merger of Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema.
The JioHotstar subscriber base comprises both direct subscribers and users acquired through telecom bundle deals. At launch, the platform boasted 50 million paid subscribers, alongside a broader user base of 500 million.
Last year, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani emphasised JioCinema's rapid expansion, noting that it became the fastest-growing platform in its category, surpassing 15 million paying subscribers in just 100 days.
“We have always believed that world-class entertainment should be accessible to all, and crossing 100 million subscribers is a testament to that vision. This milestone underscores India's limitless potential and strengthens our commitment to pioneering category-first experiences at an unprecedented scale. As we continue to innovate and expand, our focus remains on shaping the future of streaming, driving accessibility, and unlocking infinite possibilities for a billion screens,” Kiran Mani, CEO – Digital, JioHotstar, said.
Offering an extensive library of 3 lakh hours of entertainment, JioHotstar caters to 1.4 billion Indians in 10 languages, featuring blockbuster movies, TV shows, and premium Hollywood content from Disney, HBO, and Paramount.
The platform also introduces ‘Sparks,’ a dedicated section spotlighting top digital creators. As a powerhouse for sports enthusiasts, JioHotstar streams major events like the IPL, ICC tournaments, and the Premier League, enhanced with cutting-edge features such as 4K streaming, AI-driven insights, and multi-angle viewing.
Positioned as a strong competitor to Netflix and Prime Video, JioHotstar has secured telecom bundling partnerships with Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vi, further expanding its reach across the Indian market.
