Reliance's JioHotstar Launches Internationally, Replacing Hotstar in UK, Canada, Singapore

JioHotstar's Global Debut

JioHotstar, the streaming service from Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries, is launching its brand outside India for the first time. It will replace the existing Hotstar service in the UK, Canada, and Singapore, signaling a broader international expansion strategy. The new service will be available via App Store and Google Play Store on mobile devices and connected TVs.

Content Offering and Sports Exclusion

The platform will launch with over 160,000 hours of entertainment content, including Indian films, TV originals, reality shows like Bigg Boss, and live TV channels such as Star Plus and Colors. Content will be available in 12 languages. Notably, JioHotstar will not offer live sports at launch, a significant departure from its Indian offering where sports like the Indian Premier League are a major audience driver. The company cited existing content deals for this exclusion but did not rule out future sports integration.

Transition for Existing Users

Starting September 2, Hotstar will cease operations in the UK, Canada, and Singapore. Current Hotstar users in these regions will no longer be able to access the service through the Hotstar app. However, their existing login credentials will be valid for accessing the new JioHotstar platform.

Market Strategy and Future Plans

While Hotstar previously operated internationally and had a standalone service in the U.S. until 2021, JioHotstar is not launching in the U.S. as part of this initial rollout. The company has stated plans to expand into additional overseas markets over time. This international push follows the 2024 merger of Reliance's media assets with Disney, forming an $8.5 billion joint venture that combined Hotstar and JioCinema into JioHotstar for India.