Reliance-backed streaming platform JioHotstar has expanded its presence beyond India, launching its services in the UK, Canada and Singapore. The platform will offer more than 160,000 hours of content across more than 12 languages, covering multiple genres and formats.
The expansion takes the platform’s Indian entertainment catalogue to Indian audiences, especially the South Asian diaspora, while also targeting viewers interested in Indian-language stories and culture. It brings television, films, regional programming, nonfiction, children’s content and more under one roof.
The initial offerings include the reality franchise Bigg Boss across six languages, enabling audiences in the UK, Canada and Singapore to vote across all editions. Audiences in Canada and the UK will also have access to a 24/7 live feed, while Canadian consumers will be able to watch Bigg Boss Hindi seven days ahead of its TV broadcast.
Audiences in Canada and Singapore will also be able to stream a new format, India Ka Top 1 Percent, hosted by Anil Kapoor, which tests contestants’ logic and reasoning. They will also receive early access to content from Jio’s STAR television channels through JioHotstar’s “Before TV” feature.
In a statement, JioHotstar said the service is “designed to resonate deeply with the South Asian diaspora while appealing to a broader global audience”.
In another move, JioStar appears to be doing away with monthly subscription plans, at least outside India. In the UK, the service will be charged at GBP 19.99 for a quarterly subscription and GBP 69.99 for an annual subscription. In Canada, it is available for CAD 19.99 quarterly and CAD 49.99 annually, while in Singapore, it is being charged at SGD 29.98 quarterly and SGD 69.98 annually.
Amit Malhotra, Head of International Business, JioStar, said: “Streaming has spent the last decade competing on the size of its catalogue. We believe the bigger opportunity now is to reimagine how audiences experience entertainment; not just what they watch, but how they discover, engage with and shape the experience in real time.”
Besides, it also offers personalised recommendations, interactive features and flexible subscription options as part of its international offering. Officials said the streaming platform has plans to add more than 30,000 hours of fresh content every year.
The international launch slate includes new originals, blockbuster movie premieres and popular television franchises. This expansion gives audiences in the UK, Canada and Singapore access to the Indian entertainment catalogue through a single streaming service, while also catering to the Indian diaspora residing in these countries.