Reliance is reportedly set to keep Disney+ Hotstar as its primary streaming platform following the merger of Star India and Viacom18, sources familiar with the matter told The Economic Times. This decision will see JioCinema, Reliance’s current streaming service, merged into Disney+ Hotstar, creating a consolidated streaming platform for the combined entity.
The move comes as part of the $8.5 billion merger between Reliance and Walt Disney’s media assets in India, announced in February 2024. The resulting media giant will control over 100 TV channels and two major streaming services.
Why Reliance ‘went with’ Disney+ Hotstar over it’s own JioCinema
According to sources, Reliance’s leadership chose to retain Disney+ Hotstar due to its superior technological infrastructure.
The company had also considered other strategies, including integrating Disney+ Hotstar into JioCinema or running separate platforms for sports and entertainment content, which Reuters has also reported.
Reuters reports that all live sporting events from the merged entity will be streamed exclusively on the Disney+ Hotstar app, including popular events like the IPL, which is currently on JioCinema.
Reliance’s ‘cricket promise’ to CCI
This consolidation follows the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) approval of the Disney-Reliance merger in August 2024. The antitrust regulator greenlit the deal, valued at over ₹70,000 crore, subject to certain voluntary modifications.
The CCI had initially expressed concerns about the merger’s impact on competition, particularly in cricket broadcasting rights and streaming services. Reuters reported that Reliance offered concessions, including a commitment to avoid “unreasonable” rate increases for cricket match advertisements.
Live cricket broadcasts are particularly lucrative in India, driving both viewership and advertising revenue for streaming platforms. The Jefferies Group estimates that the combined company will control about 40% of India’s streaming and TV advertising market.
