Reliance Industries (RIL) is reportedly planning to consolidate its streaming platforms post-merger by combining Disney+ Hotstar with JioCinema. This move follows RIL’s agreement with Walt Disney to merge Star India and Viacom18, creating an $8.5-billion media conglomerate.
Sources indicate that RIL favors retaining JioCinema as the sole OTT platform, despite Disney+ Hotstar’s higher download numbers—over 500 million compared to JioCinema’s 100 million. RIL aims to streamline operations and enhance competitive positioning against major players like YouTube, Netflix, and Prime Video.
Currently, Disney+ Hotstar boasts 333 million monthly active users and 35.5 million paid subscribers, though it has seen a decline from previous peaks. JioCinema, which recently integrated Viacom18’s OTT platforms under the Voot brand, had an average reach of 225 million users in the first quarter of 2023.
RIL’s strategy involves leveraging Disney+ Hotstar’s content, including cricket rights for the IPL, and integrating it with JioCinema’s library to form a comprehensive entertainment hub. Both Disney and RIL have declined to comment on the development.
The merger is pending regulatory approvals from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
