Is Jio Hotstar the Same as Disney Hotstar?

Reliance seems to be everywhere in the news these days—from telecom and streaming with the new Jio Hotstar platform, to toys and fast fashion, making headlines across industries. With so many ventures under its umbrella, it’s easy to get confused about what’s changing and how it affects you.

One of the latest buzzworthy topics is Jio Hotstar and its connection to Disney+ Hotstar. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, new partnerships, rebranding, and exclusive deals shake things up.

Now, with Jio and Disney+ Hotstar joining forces, you might be wondering—are they the same, or has something changed? If you’ve seen terms like Jio Hotstar floating around, it’s natural to feel confused.

Let’s dive into the details and clear up the confusion, starting from the very beginning.

From Hotstar to Disney+ Hotstar: A Streaming Evolution

Hotstar established itself as one of India’s leading streaming platforms in 2015, offering a diverse mix of sports, Bollywood films, and international TV shows. It served as a platform for sports fans to watch matches.

Then came a major shift in ownership—in 2019, The Walt Disney Company acquired Star India. This acquisition revolutionised the platform, and in 2020, Hotstar was officially rebranded as Disney+ Hotstar and launched in India.

With this transformation, the platform became the go-to destination for Disney’s extensive content library in India, featuring Marvel Studios content, while also remaining the preferred platform for IPL streaming on Hotstar.

So, this is how you would remember the Disney+ Hotstar brand—what started as Hotstar and was transformed after Disney acquired Star India in 2019.

The Birth of JioHotstar: A Game-Changing Alliance

JioHotstar emerged from a landmark joint venture between Reliance and Disney, officially completed after its initial announcement on February 28. This strategic merger combined the businesses of Viacom18 and Star India, creating one of India’s largest TV and digital streaming platforms.

As part of the IPL media rights auction, Disney Star retained the Indian subcontinent TV rights for ₹23,575 crore (₹57.5 crore per match). Meanwhile, Reliance-backed Viacom18 secured the highly coveted India digital streaming rights for ₹20,500 crore and also acquired Package C, a non-exclusive streaming deal, for an additional ₹2,991 crore.

With these acquisitions, JioHotstar now exclusively holds the domestic digital broadcasting rights for the IPL until the end of the 2023–2027 cycle, making it the go-to platform for IPL streaming in India.

To capitalise on its new position, Reliance Jio has launched prepaid recharge plans that offer free access to JioHotstar. For users seeking an ad-free experience or the ability to stream on multiple devices, standalone JioHotstar Premium plans are available, priced at ₹499 per month or ₹1,499 annually.

And this is the new name you will now see on the streaming app—JioHotstar, the home of IPL digital streaming in India.

Conclusion

The evolution from Hotstar to Disney+ Hotstar and now JioHotstar marks a significant shift in India’s streaming landscape. With JioHotstar now holding exclusive IPL digital broadcasting rights and being bundled with Jio recharge plans, the platform is set to reshape the way Indian audiences consume content.

Whether you’re a casual viewer or a premium subscriber, these changes signal a new era of streaming in India, one that blends global entertainment with homegrown digital dominance.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.