After the much-anticipated Disney-Reliance merger, all major sporting events, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), will now be streamed exclusively on the Hotstar app. This integration reflects a strategic move following the $8.5 billion merger of Disney and Reliance’s media assets earlier this year. While Reliance’s JioCinema platform had previously secured IPL rights, the shift to Hotstar signals a unified streaming approach.
Hotstar’s robust technology, especially for handling live content, played a significant role in this decision. Sources close to the matter indicate that Hotstar’s backend infrastructure, particularly for serving targeted ads and managing concurrent viewership, made it the preferred platform. With record-breaking viewership during past cricket events, the platform has proven its capability in live streaming sports in India, where millions of users tune in simultaneously.
Mukesh Ambani, chairperson of Reliance, reportedly plans to strengthen Hotstar under the merged entity, with the potential for future rebranding. The merger, which was cleared by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in August, aims to create India’s largest entertainment platform, combining over 120 TV channels and two major streaming services.
While the fate of other entertainment content remains unclear, the focus for now is on streamlining sports content. As the merger progresses, industry insiders predict Hotstar will become the dominant player in India’s highly competitive OTT market.
