JioStar Launches Ahead of Jio-Disney Merger

Reliance Jio's Viacom18 and Disney Star are preparing for a major merger, set to wrap up by November 13, and the companies have introduced their new OTT platform, JioStar. Currently, the site is live with a "Coming Soon" notice, signaling that more features and content will be unveiled soon. Once fully operational, it’s expected to merge content from both JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, creating a combined entertainment hub.

There had been earlier rumors that the new platform would go by the name JioHotstar. However, before the merger, a Delhi-based developer had acquired the JioHotstar domain and offered it for a financial contribution toward their studies. The domain was eventually purchased by two Dubai-based individuals, who later decided to transfer it to Reliance Jio without charge.

As the merger progresses, speculation continues about how the content will be distributed. While some believed JioCinema would merge into Disney+ Hotstar, taking advantage of the latter's stronger technological infrastructure, sports content like the Indian Premier League (IPL) is still expected to remain exclusive to Disney+ Hotstar for now.

With JioStar in the works, the merger signals a significant shift in India's OTT landscape, potentially changing the way digital content is consumed in the country. The specifics of the platform’s features and content lineup remain under wraps, but it’s clear that this collaboration aims to consolidate the strengths of both companies to create a dominant force in the streaming industry.