Shimona Sharma
The North News
Chandigarh, February 14
JioStar, the recently formed joint venture that merged Viacom18 and Star India, has announced the launch of JioHotstar, a new streaming platform that integrates content from JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. JioHotstar CEO Kiran Mani stated that the platform aims to make “premium entertainment truly accessible to all Indians,” The Indian Express reported. With content available in 10 languages, JioHotstar will cater to over 1.4 billion Indians, offering a seamless viewing experience for movies, TV shows, and live sports within a single app.
In its announcement, JioHotstar confirmed that existing JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar subscribers will be able to transition smoothly to the new platform. Beyond its extensive library of original content, JioHotstar will also feature programming from NBCUniversal Peacock, Warner Bros, Discovery, HBO, and Paramount—making it the only streaming service in India to offer such a diverse content lineup, according to The Indian Express.
As part of its launch, JioHotstar has introduced a dedicated section for digital content creators, named Sparks. According to The Telegraph, this segment will showcase content from well-known creators such as YouTubers Shyam Sharma and Dhruv Shah, comedian Zakir Khan, social media influencer Uorfi Javed, and astrologer Arun Pandit.
One of the key attractions in the Sparks section is the dating show Ishq Interrupted, hosted by comedian Aaditya Kulshreshth, along with 10 Minutes No Khabrein, a comedy news program led by Munawar Faruqui. Astroverse, hosted by astrologer Dr. Jai Madaan, explores how celestial movements impact people’s lives. In Generations Aaj Kal, Shyam Sharma and Dhruv Shah discuss generational differences with guests Uorfi Javed and Poonam Pandey.
Other notable premieres include Victim Ya Victor, a comedy game and chat show hosted by Rahul Dua, and Love Life Lafde, a new show featuring Zakir Khan—both of which launched on February 14. Additional Sparks content includes Engaged: Roka Ya Dhoka with Uorfi Javed and Harsh Gujral, Yeh Kya Bana Diya! with chef Ranveer Brar, and Game of Greed, hosted by Abhishek Malhan.
With JioHotstar’s debut, Viacom18 and Star India have positioned themselves as a major force in India’s streaming landscape. The platform’s focus on accessibility, diverse content, and a digital creator-driven segment marks a significant shift in the industry, aiming to redefine how audiences engage with entertainment.
