In early 2025, India’s streaming world changed in a big way. Two of the country’s largest video services — Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema — came together under a single brand called JioHotstar (often written as “Jio Hotstar”). The move pooled a huge library of movies, shows, and live sport into one app and website. If you used either Hotstar or JioCinema before, you will now find most of that content on JioHotstar. (Wikipedia)
This blog explains what JioHotstar is, what it offers, how subscriptions work now, and what it means for everyday viewers. I’ll write in clear, simple language so you can quickly understand the important facts and decide whether to try the service.
Why did the two services merge?
The merger is the result of a larger business move. Reliance — the big Indian conglomerate that owns Jio — and Disney combined certain TV and streaming assets in India to form a joint venture. As part of this reorganisation, the companies brought together JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar into a single platform called JioHotstar. The joint venture aims to create a single, very large Indian streaming service that can compete with global platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. (Wikipedia)
For viewers, the reason is simple: one app with more content. For the companies, the reason is scale and control over premium sports and popular shows. Sports rights — especially cricket like the IPL — are a huge driver of viewers in India, and combining libraries makes the new platform more powerful when bidding for sports and studio content. (Reuters)
What content is on JioHotstar?
JioHotstar brings together content from many places:
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Big Indian and regional movies and series across many languages.
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International shows and films from studios like Disney, HBO, Warner, Paramount, and others that were already on Disney+ Hotstar.
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Live sports, including major cricket tournaments and other sports events that JioCinema and Hotstar previously held rights to.
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New originals and regional projects that the combined company plans to produce.
At launch, the company said the library is enormous — hundreds of thousands of hours of content, making it one of the largest streaming catalogs in India. That includes a mix of free, ad-supported content and premium shows behind subscription tiers. (Wikipedia)
Has anything important changed for users?
If you were already a subscriber to Hotstar or JioCinema, the companies planned to make the transition as smooth as possible. Existing subscriptions were meant to carry over to the new JioHotstar platform during an initial transition period. That meant you would not suddenly lose access to shows you had paid for. Still, the company introduced new subscription options and clarified how sports like the Indian Premier League (IPL) would be handled going forward. (The Times of India)
One key change that caught attention: free streaming of some top sports (which at times had been available for free on JioCinema) moved to a hybrid model. That means some sports viewing may now require at least a low-cost subscription or be offered through certain telecom recharge packs tied to Jio or other partners. This was a notable shift because sports draws huge live audiences, and charging for it changes how many people watch live cricket without a subscription. (Reuters)
How much does JioHotstar cost?
JioHotstar offers different plans. Prices and features can change, but at launch the platform introduced a mix of ad-supported and ad-free tiers. A few typical points are:
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A basic mobile or ad-supported tier that is relatively cheap and suitable for single-device, mobile viewing.
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A mid-tier “Super” level with more device access and fewer restrictions.
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A premium ad-free tier for full access across devices.
At launch, the company listed entry-level plans starting around ₹149 for a quarterly or yearly option (pricing and exact plan names may change regionally and over time). Telecom partners like Jio also included JioHotstar access in some recharge bundles, letting customers get streaming access as part of their phone plan. If you want the latest exact prices, check the official JioHotstar subscription page or the app because these offers can be updated often. (Hotstar Help)
How to watch JioHotstar (quick steps)
Watching is straightforward. You can use the JioHotstar app on Android or iPhone, visit the JioHotstar website on a browser, or use the app on smart TVs and the streaming devices the service supports. If you already had an account with Hotstar or JioCinema, log in with the same credentials; the platform migration tools were designed to move accounts across. For new users, sign up with email or a phone number and choose the plan that fits you. (Google Play)
What about ads and downloads?
The cheaper, ad-supported plans will show ads during shows and movies, while the higher-priced plans offer an ad-free experience for most on-demand content. Sports are often treated differently — some sports may show ads even for premium subscribers because live sports rights and ad deals are unique. The platform also supports offline downloads for many movies and shows so you can watch without internet later; however, downloaded sports content is usually limited or unavailable due to rights and live nature. (Hotstar Help)
Will my old Hotstar or JioCinema app keep working?
During the transition period after the launch, both older apps might still be accessible, but the companies have encouraged everyone to move to the single JioHotstar app for the best experience. Over time, the old apps are likely to be phased out in favor of the unified platform. If you rely on a particular device or TV, check the app store to see whether the JioHotstar app is available and compatible. (The Times of India)
What this means for the Indian streaming market
The combination of Jio’s reach and Disney/Star’s content creates a platform with massive scale in India. That makes JioHotstar a stronger competitor to global giants and gives it more leverage when negotiating for sports and studio content. For viewers, this could mean more bundled offers through telecom plans, more local-language content, and larger investments in original shows. At the same time, consolidation often leads to subtle changes like pricing shifts, fewer places to watch certain shows for free, and bigger competition for subscription dollars. (TechCrunch)
Pros and cons — a simple view
On the plus side, you get one app with huge content variety, easier account management if you used both services before, and stronger sports coverage. On the downside, sports that were previously free to watch might now require payment or a specific recharge bundle, and some users who liked separate niche apps might miss those independent experiences.
Two images you can use in your blog
Below are two suggestions for images to include inside your article. I’ve put a full image carousel at the top of this reply; you can pick any two there. If you prefer specific image files, choose the logo (useful for a header) and an app screenshot (useful for showing the player or homepage). Both are publicly available on news and media pages about the launch.
Final thoughts
JioHotstar is a big deal in India’s digital entertainment world. It is the logical outcome of industry consolidation and a move to create a single, very large entertainment and sports platform. If you are a casual viewer who watches movies and shows, you will likely find more choice in one place. If you watch live sports — especially cricket — keep an eye on how recharges and plans affect access, because the free-to-watch model has changed in favor of a hybrid subscription approach. For up-to-date plan details or to sign up, visit the official JioHotstar site or open the app.