Can Prime Video and Netflix Survive the Jiostar Disruption? What the Jio-Hotstar Merger Means for India’s Streaming Wars?
The potential Jio-Hotstar merger, creating what many are calling “Jiostar,” could significantly disrupt India’s streaming landscape. Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio already has a massive customer base, so this merger could reshape viewer preferences and affect the growth trajectory of other platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. Here’s a closer look at the implications: 1. Expanded Audience Base for Jiostar Leverage on Jio’s Reach: Jio has around 400 million telecom subscribers, many of whom are already accustomed to bundled offers. If Jiostar offers attractive streaming bundles with Jio’s telecom services, this will drastically expand their user base overnight. Regional and Sports Content: Hotstar has been strong in regional content and, notably, has exclusive streaming rights to the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket games and other sports events. Jiostar could leverage this to capture a broad audience, especially those drawn to regional programming and live sports, which o