JioStar, the recently established joint venture formed through the merger of Viacom18 and Star India, has introduced a new streaming platform, JioHotstar. The service aims to unify the content offerings of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, creating a comprehensive digital entertainment hub for users.
This new development has raised curious queries among existing subscribers of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. Let’s answer them one by one.
What Happens To Old Disney+ Hotstar App?
Your old Disney+ Hotstar app, once you log in, will ask for permission to update to JioHotstar. The update is minimal in size and gets installed pretty quickly (depending on your download speeds).
Once the update is in place, you will be able to browse through the JioHotstar app, which simply combines all the content of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar under a single banner.
JioHotstar has assured that existing subscribers of both JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar will be able to transition seamlessly to the new platform. The company stated that its focus is not only on bringing together original content but also on offering an extensive catalogue from various global entertainment giants. This includes programming from NBCUniversal’s Peacock, Warner Bros, Discovery, HBO, and Paramount — an aggregation that, according to JioHotstar, sets it apart from competitors in the industry.
Should You Uninstall JioCinema App Now?
Well, when you open JioCinema now, it will show links to the JioHotstar app. So, no matter what you click on the JioCinema app, you will be redirected to JioHotstar now.
What Happens To My ‘Continue Watching’ Playlist?
The same applies to all the series or movies that you were already watching on JioCinema. For example, I was in the middle of streaming an episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” When I opened JioHotstar, the Larry David-starring comedy did appear on my search results. However, it was asking me to start again from the very first episode of the series.
Instead, when I opened JioCinema, I could see that my ‘Continue Watching’ playlist showed exactly where I left off. Interestingly enough, when I clicked on the show to resume watching, I was immediately moved to JioHotstar, where the episode started playing exactly where I left off. So, I didn’t lose on the progress I have made this far.
Since the content on JioHotstar is similar now, you can indeed go ahead and uninstall JioCinema now, as you don’t need it anymore.
What About My Existing JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar Subscriptions?
If you were an existing Disney+ Hotstar subscriber, your plan and benefits will continue as it was, with the only difference being that you will now browse through JioHotstar as the new platform.
If you were an existing JioCinema subscriber, you can still access the app as earlier. Except that now, no matter what you watch, you will be redirected to JioHotstar now. So, suppose you had an existing monthly subscription with JioCinema, you have no other option except to wait for the plan to run its course, or ignore it and move on to the new app.
What Are The JioHotstar Plan Prices Now?
JioHotstar plans remain the same as the Disney+ Hotstar plans as earlier, in terms of pricing and benefits.
The platform provides three tiers—Mobile, Super, and Premium—each catering to different viewing preferences and budgets.
JioHotstar Subscription Plans & Pricing
- Mobile Plan (Ad-Supported): Priced at Rs 149 for three months and Rs 499 annually, this plan allows users to stream content on a single mobile device. However, even if a user avails of a discounted initial subscription, the renewal price remains Rs 149 per quarter.
- Super Plan (Ad-Supported): Available at Rs 299 for three months and Rs 899 per year, this plan permits access on two devices simultaneously. Unlike the Mobile plan, content can be streamed across mobile, web, and supported living room devices. Notably, this plan is also applicable to Jio Broadband users under the Hotstar partner plan.
- Premium Plan (Ad-Free): The highest-tier offering, the Premium plan, is priced at Rs 299 per month (exclusive to web browser purchases), Rs 499 for three months, and Rs 1,499 annually. This plan allows streaming on up to four devices and ensures an ad-free experience across movies and shows. However, JioHotstar clarifies that “LIVE content such as sports and other LIVE shows continue to be ad-supported.”
Content Library & Additional Terms
All plans provide access to JioHotstar’s extensive content catalogue, including live sports events like cricket, Premier League matches, and tennis Grand Slams. Users can also watch the latest Indian movie premieres, Hotstar Specials, Star serials before they air on TV, and Disney+ Originals in multiple languages.
However, JioHotstar has outlined certain content limitations. The platform states that streaming rights vary, which may result in only specific seasons or the latest episodes of some shows being available. Additionally, all subscriptions are non-refundable.
With these revamped offerings, JioHotstar aims to cater to a wide audience, ensuring flexibility in pricing and accessibility across different devices.
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This report has been published as part of an auto-generated syndicated wire feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been modified or edited by Doonited
