TL; DR:Disney+ Hotstar has officially rebranded as JioStar, with the new unified streaming app JioHotstar now live. This merger between Reliance’s JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar is reshaping India’s OTT landscape, offering a massive content library, new subscription models, and global ambitions. They initially popularized Jiostar among the USA and UK immigrants using VPN. There are free and paid plans for the 4K content experience on their JioHotstar app.
One of the biggest shake-ups in recent years is the company called “JioStar,” which launched the new app JioHotstar.
It is the result of Disney Hotstar’s merger with Reliance Jio’s media arm. 40-60% of our VPN users in India use reliable 虚拟专用网络服务 to access Jio Hotstar.
The viewers mainly relied on Disney+ Hotstar for cricket, Bollywood, Hollywood, and regional content. Let’s break down the reason the companies collaborated, and how users will experience the JioHotstar app from now on!
Why is Disney+ Hotstar Now a JioStar?
What is JioStar?
JioStar is the new joint venture between Reliance Industries (through Viacom18) and The Walt Disney Company. It combines the strengths of JioCinema and Disney+Hotstar, creating a single powerhouse platform.
They want to dominate India’s streaming market and expand globally against Netflix and Amazon Prime. Currently, they are operating in India, and they plan to expand as JioStar in the USA soon.
Key Details about the Merger
The merger was finalized in November 2024 at a value of $8.5 billion, making it one of the largest deals in India’s media sector. This strategic alliance consolidates sports rights, blockbuster films, and international shows under one umbrella.
What is the New App from JioStar?
JioStar group rebranded the JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar app. Hence, JioHotstar was launched in February 2025. It integrates JioCinema’s tech infrastructure with Disney Hotstar’s content library. So, users now have a single destination for IPL, Marvel movies, Pixar animations, HBO originals, and Indian regional cinema.
What was the Budget and Collaboration of JioStar?
JioStar has announced massive investment plans focused on regional content and infrastructure. The entity is valued at $8.5 billion (approx. ₹70,000 crore). It crossed ₹2 billion in revenue in October 2025. It has become India’s largest media and entertainment platform.
Also, the deal merged Star India (now known as JioStar India) with Viacom18’s media assets, effectively controlling over 100 TV channels and the combined streaming platform
Budget and Investment Details
| South India Investment | JioStar has announced a ₹4,000 crore investment over the next five years to strengthen its position in South India. |
| Content Production | The investment aims to produce 1,500 hours of new programming within a year and to release 25 new original titles across Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. |
| Content Growth | The platform has seen a 70% increase in viewership for South content, leading to a focus on non-scripted, reality, and long-running episodic shows (e.g., 100-episode arcs). |
| Infrastructure & Hiring | The investment is expected to create 1,000 direct jobs and 15,000 indirect jobs in the regional creative economy. |
| Revenue | JioStar reported a revenue of ₹8,010 crore in Q3 FY26. |
Collaborations and Strategic Partnerships
- Tamil Nadu Government: JioStar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu to boost the local creative sector. Their initial plan is to expand the production ecosystem and invest in talent.
- Nielsen: Collaborated with Nielsen for a “Cross-Screen Measurement Study” during TATA IPL 2025 to track audience engagement across Linear TV (LTV), Connected TV (CTV), and Mobile.
- Content & Tech Partners: The platform integrates content from Disney, NBCUniversal’s Peacock, Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO, and Paramount.
- JioStarverse: Launched an AI-driven, data-led influencer marketing platform in collaboration with Qoruz, featuring over 500 influencers to assist brands with targeting.
- Telecom Bundling: Planning to bundle subscriptions with major telecom operators (Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea) to expand reach.
How is the Operational Status of JioStar?
The merger of Star Television Productions Ltd (STPL) with JioStar was completed effective November 30, 2025. Reliance holds a 60% stake (16% direct, 47% via Viacom18), while Disney owns 37%.
The new platform, JioHotstar, offers plans starting as low as ₹15 for specific, mini-language packs, with wider plans starting at ₹149/quarter. The platform has reported 450+ million monthly active users and over 3 lakh hours of content.
(The pricing might change over time. Our blog contains data during the writing period before publishing.)
What Type of Content is Available on JioHotstar?
JioHotstar offers a mix of live sports, Bollywood films, Hollywood blockbusters, regional language shows, kids’ programming, and international series. The merger ensures that cricket rights, including IPL, remain a cornerstone.
Additionally, Disney Hotstar users in the USA will benefit from expanded access to Indian content, making Disney Hotstar a bridge for diaspora audiences.
What are the Subscription Plans & Pricing?
1. New Subscriber Plan
The JioHotstar platform has introduced simplified plans, starting with a basic ad-supported tier and a premium ad-free tier. Indeed, the pricing is competitive with Netflix and Prime, aiming to attract a mass audience. It’s Jio’s business policy to start with lower plans and gradually raise them some years later, like Jio’s telecom business!
2. Free vs Paid Content Access
Much like Disney+ Hotstar, free users can access limited content with ads, while premium subscribers enjoy exclusive shows, sports, and movies without interruptions.
3. Ad-Supported vs. Premium Option
The ad-supported model ensures affordability, while premium tiers cater to those seeking uninterrupted viewing. This dual approach mirrors global OTT strategies, making JioStar streaming versatile.
💡 Pro Tip: Do you still have the original Disney+? Disney+ subscription prices vary significantly by country, generally ranging from roughly USD $5 to over $14 per month. Prices are influenced by currency, local content, and tier structures. To reduce the price, install Symlex VPN, change the location to Turkey/Argentina/ Indonesia, and visit the Disney+ purchase page! The price will be dropped to a minimum!
What about the Features & Experience?
# Streaming Quality: The app supports 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Atmos, and adaptive streaming, ensuring smooth playback even on slower connections.
# Multi-Device Support: Users can stream across smartphones, smart TVs, laptops, and tablets. The app also supports casting, making it flexible for family viewing.
# Stack Against Netflix, Prime, and SonyLiv: Compared to Netflix and Prime, JioHotstar offers more live sports and regional content. Against SonyLiv, it has a stronger Hollywood and Disney catalog.
What is the Impact on Existing Subscribers?
- What happens to Disney+ Hotstar accounts?
Existing Disney Hotstar accounts are automatically migrated to JioHotstar. Users retain their watch history, preferences, and subscription validity.
- Migration process for JioCinema users
JioCinema users are being automatically migrated to the new JioHotstar platform. JioCinema app may still be present on some devices; it will display a banner prompting users to “Watch on JioHotstar,” with content automatically redirected to the new app.
Why VPN is Needed to Access JioHotstar?
A VPN is required for users who need remote streaming benefits. Several reports said that approximately 18.1 million Indian citizens live outside India, making it the world’s largest diaspora population. They cannot access their local Indian sites from the UK, USA, or Australia. During that period, they can use our VPN services to connect to an Indian server and access Jio Hotstar content effortlessly.
In fact, the benefits of VPN go beyond just accessing local platforms and sites.
1. The VPN app safeguards the data and login credentials from being exposed. Symlex VPN uses a 256-bit key to encrypt 128-bit blocks of data through 14 complex rounds of substitution, shifting, and mixing.
2. Symlex VPN can block the display ads while surfing the homescreen of the JioHotstar app, because the servers are totally ad-free.
3. The dark web monitoring feature in Symlex VPN can scan the web for leaked data and send you alerts via email. It’s beneficial for users who shared JioHotstar login details or lost access due to hackers.
4. Content licenses vary by region, meaning what is available to watch in India may not be permitted to be shown in other countries. In this case, the user can use a VPN and unlock the contents.
结论
The transformation of Disney Hotstar into JioStar marks a new era in streaming. Acting as a unified platform, with competitive pricing and a vast content library, it is set to challenge global giants. For audiences in India and abroad, including Jiostar in the USA, this merger ensures that the best of Bollywood, Hollywood, sports, and regional entertainment is now under one roof.
Trending Questions on JiHotstar
Disney’s decision to sell Hotstar to Jio was driven largely by economic and geopolitical pressures. Faced with challenges such as Indian censorship and Indian business, Disney ultimately chose to exit the market, in part to free itself from the ongoing burden of these issues.
JioStar is led by Chairperson Nita M. Ambani and Vice Chairperson Uday Shankar. With CEOs Kevin Vaz, Kiran Mani, and Sanjog Gupta, Reliance controls ownership, supported by leaders across product, technology, marketing, commercial, and HR.
JioHotstar is compatible with a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs. It supports major operating systems like Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, as well as Android TV, Fire TV, and Apple TV.
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