Big moves are happening in the world of streaming, and sports fans are about to see a major shift. Disney and Reliance are reportedly planning to stream all live sports content on Disney’s Hotstar app as part of their joint venture (JV). Yep, that means the days of hopping between different apps for your favorite cricket matches could soon be over.
According to a Reuters report, this transition from JioCinema to Disney+ Hotstar was revealed during a recent townhall by Hotstar’s chief, Sajith Sivanandan. While Disney isn’t spilling any official details just yet, and Reliance is keeping quiet for now, it’s clear big changes are on the horizon for how we watch live sports.
What’s Happening Behind the Scenes?
Here’s the deal: both Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema currently hold streaming rights for some of the biggest sports events in the country. For cricket fans, JioCinema has the rights to stream the wildly popular Indian Premier League (IPL) as well as India’s domestic matches. Once the JV finalizes things, expect to catch these on Hotstar instead.
The move comes after Disney India and Reliance’s Viacom18 got the green light from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) earlier this year for the merger of their media assets. This merger will bring together a jaw-dropping 120 TV channels and two powerhouse streaming apps, with an estimated user base of over 750 million. That’s a lot of eyeballs.
Who’s in Charge?
When the dust settles, Reliance will own a 56% stake in this media megamerger through its various entities, while Disney will control 37%. Bodhi Tree Systems will hold the remaining 7%. The JV will be led by none other than Reliance Foundation chairperson Nita Ambani, with media industry veteran Uday Shankar serving as vice-chairperson.
Reliance recently confirmed in a regulatory filing that the media merger should be completed by the end of the third quarter of FY25. So, by the end of next year, this media empire—valued at over INR 70,000 crore—will officially be the biggest in the country.
What Does This Mean for Sports Streaming?
Once the transition is complete, Disney+ Hotstar will be your one-stop shop for live sports, taking over from JioCinema. For fans, this could simplify things, no longer needing to juggle between platforms to catch their favorite games. Whether it’s cricket, football, or other popular sports, Hotstar will be the go-to platform.
The merger isn’t just about convenience, though—it’s about creating a content powerhouse. With 120 channels and two streaming apps under one roof, Disney and Reliance are gearing up to dominate India’s entertainment scene, and it looks like sports are going to be a massive part of that strategy.
So, get ready for a more unified sports streaming experience. It won’t be long before you’re watching your favorite cricket matches on Hotstar, all thanks to this massive Disney-Reliance collaboration. Stay tuned for more updates as this media empire continues to grow!
