TL;DR
- Disney Star teases new merged OTT platform JioHotstar.
- Jio Cinema and Disney+Hotstar content will soon be accessible under one roof.
- New membership plans and their prices are expected to be announced in the next few weeks.
The largest merger in the OTT sector took place last year when Disney, Reliance, and Viacom 18 joined forces to pool their resources. After more than a year of discussions, the merger was officially concluded in November 2024.
Since then, there has been anticipation for an official announcement regarding the new OTT platform and its membership offerings. It now appears that the newly branded platform, JioHotstar, will be launched soon, as its name has reportedly surfaced in advertisements and on the Disney+Hotstar app. Initially, the platform was expected to be named JioStar, but the latest rumors suggest it will be called JioHotstar.
ALSO SEE: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Where to Watch Team India’s Matches Live on Mobile & TV
JioHotstar Launch teased
Disney Star has posted a video on its official X account featuring the message “A new era begins,” along with a star emoji and the caption, “What happens when two worlds of entertainment merge in the universe.” Following the release of this teaser, the account has been renamed to ‘JioStar,’ suggesting this may be the new branding.


Additionally, reports on X and Reddit.com indicate that Jio Cinema has been discontinuing autopay subscriptions for certain users. This may be a strategic move to limit new subscriptions ahead of the upcoming merged platform. It remains to be seen how existing Jio Cinema Premium subscribers will transition to JioHotstar.
ALSO SEE: Netflix India Announces its Slate of Hindi Shows & Movies for 2025
JioHotstar: What will it stream?
Certain social media posts suggest that the forthcoming Tata WPL will be available for live streaming on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network. Disney+Hotstar has recently incorporated Jio Cinema Originals and Colors Rishtey Hubs, indicating that a unified platform is on the horizon.
Once Disney and Reliance formally unveil their partnership, this platform will feature a wide array of content, including offerings from Disney, Warner Bros, HBO, Max Original, and Colors, all under a single umbrella. Additionally, significant cricket events such as the IPL and Champions Trophy are expected to be broadcast on this new service.
ALSO SEE: Where to Stream Oscars 2025 Nominated Movies in India on OTT
Following the merger, JioHotstar intends to compete with Netflix and Prime Video in India, but much will hinge on the subscription pricing, given the country’s sensitivity to costs. Recently, a website called Jiostar.com published a comprehensive list of channels offered on JioHotstar, featuring over 100 live channels and more than 30,000 hours of content. This selection includes both SD and HD channels. For further details, click here.
You can follow Smartprix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto news, reviews, and guides.