Currently, you can watch IPL for free on Mukesh Ambani's OTT platform, Jio Cinema. However, Jio Cinema may close soon. Mukesh Ambani might make this big decision.
🔥 Jio Cinema vs. Disney+ Hotstar: The Battle for Streaming Supremacy! 🔥
When Reliance Jio announced that it would show IPL for free on its OTT platform, Jio Cinema, it created a stir in the market. However, this OTT platform owned by businessman Mukesh Ambani may close soon. The acquisition deal between Reliance Industries, Jio's parent company, and Disney is almost finalized. An official announcement can be made at any time regarding this deal. Once it is completed, all the business of Disney's Star Network will belong to Mukesh Ambani. Considering this, Mukesh Ambani may make a big decision.
Jio Cinema + Disney plus HotstarÂ
After the merger is completed, Reliance will also own the OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar. Sources have told ET that after the merger, Mukesh Ambani's company may keep just one platform instead of two separate OTT platforms. According to reports, after the merger of Reliance's subsidiary Viacom18 and Star India, 'Jio Cinema' may be merged into 'Disney+ Hotstar.' This way, the company might continue to operate the Disney+ Hotstar platform while shutting down Jio Cinema.
Reliance Industries has done something similar before. Before Jio Cinema, Viacom18 had its own OTT platform called 'Voot,' which the company later merged into Jio Cinema.
Reliance and Disney Deal
Reliance Industries has completed almost all the formalities to buy Disney's Star India business. The company has also received almost all the regulatory approvals. After this deal, the new company, Star-Viacom 18, will be controlled by Reliance.
One reason for merging Jio Cinema into Disney+ Hotstar is that Disney+ Hotstar has over 500 million downloads on the Google Play Store, while Jio Cinema has only 100 million downloads. Additionally, Disney+ Hotstar has 35.5 million paid subscribers.
Disney+ Hotstar’s Superior Infrastructure Gives It an Edge Over Jio Cinema
This merger will create a single, consolidated OTT platform for the combined company. According to reports, this new platform will be called 'Jio Hotstar.' The Ambanis decided to merge Jio Cinema into Hotstar because Hotstar has b​etter technological infrastructure. Initially, it was reported that only sports content, like the Indian Premier League (IPL), would be moved to Hotstar. However, the latest reports indicate that the two platforms will fully merge into one. Once Jio Cinema merges with Hotstar, it will become the largest OTT platform in the country, with a large number of subscribers. Since Jio offers free OTT services with certain mobile and Wi-Fi plans, Jio Hotstar is expected to dominate the Indian streaming market.