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Tag: JioHotstar

  • JioStar blitzes in FY 2025, clocks Rs 10,006 crore in revenue since merger

    JioStar blitzes in FY 2025, clocks Rs 10,006 crore in revenue since merger

    MUMBAI: JioStar is scripting a blockbuster success story, delivering a knockout performance since its merger launch on 14 November 2024. The entertainment juggernaut reported gross revenues of Rs 10,006 crore and an EBITDA of Rs 774 crore, posting a margin of 7.7 per cent — all while still ramping up operations.

    At the heart of this meteoric rise lies JioHotstar, the OTT powerhouse that debuted on 14 February 2025 and rapidly changed the game. Within just five weeks, JioHotstar crossed the milestone of 100 million paid subscribers — a feat unrivalled in the Indian streaming landscape. By March-end, monthly active users (MAUs) hit a staggering 503 million, thanks to a blockbuster calendar packed with the ICC Champions Trophy, IPL, and a digital library boasting over 320,000 hours of content.

    Sport was JioStar’s turbocharger with IPL 2025 opening with fireworks, clocking 1.4 billion digital views (a 35 per cent spike year-on-year), 253 million TV viewers (up 14 per cent), and a colossal 49.6 billion minutes of total watch time across platforms (up 33 per cent). JioHotstar alone posted a dazzling 38 per cent jump in digital viewership, buoyed by a 47 per cent surge in connected TV (CTV) audiences and a 60 per cent higher CTV watch time.

    The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 turned out to be another mega-hit, recording the highest TV ratings ever for a multi-nation cricket tournament in India. The tournament delivered a 4.3 TVR — a 23 per cent gain over the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 — and set a new peak concurrency record with a staggering 61.2 million live viewers during the final.

    JioStar also scored with the Tata WPL season 3, which posted a 19 per cent ratings lift and expanded its reach by 49 per cent. On JioHotstar, WPL viewership surged by 34 per cent, underpinned by a massive 130 per cent growth in CTV engagement.

    In a strategic brand play, all sports channels were unified under the Star Sports banner, now comprising 24 channels — with dedicated Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada sports offerings to deepen regional footprints.
    Beyond cricket fever, JioHotstar is claimed to be reshaping entertainment with a new wave of digital experiences. The Mahashivratri night live-stream drew an impressive 39 million views, while Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour streamed live to 8.3 million fans, bringing global experiences closer to Indian audiences.

    A new content vertical, “Sparks,” featuring short, snappy segments from India’s top digital superstars, has tapped into the nation’s appetite for quick-binge entertainment — a strategic play to capture Gen Z and millennial attention spans.

    Coupled with its arsenal of premium OTT originals and international content, JioHotstar is fast positioning itself as the de facto platform for premium digital storytelling.

    While the digital frontier blazed ahead, linear TV continued to deliver knockout blows.

    Star Plus cemented its dominance as India’s top Hindi GEC, with six out of the top 10 shows under its belt. Star Gold’s premiere of Stree 2 garnered a reach of 41.2 million, further reinforcing its draw among movie buffs.
    Regional GECs — Star Pravah (Marathi), Star Jalsha (Bengali), Star Maa (Telugu), Star Vijay (Tamil), and Asianet (Malayalam) — retained their #1 spots across states, showcasing JioStar’s deep local connect.

    Meanwhile, niche genres — Kids, Youth, and English — remained the network’s unchallenged playgrounds, extending JioStar’s leadership across every major viewer segment.

    In less than six months post-merger, JioStar has not just delivered on audacious promises — it has rewritten the rulebook. With a dominant hold across digital and linear entertainment, record-breaking sports audiences, and an evolving playbook for new-age content, JioStar is emerging as India’s undisputed entertainment giant.

    As Reliance’s media empire keeps building momentum, it’s clear that for rivals, the chase is only getting harder.

  • JioHotstar hits 200 million paying subscribers as Uday Shankar eyes domestic growth

    JioHotstar hits 200 million paying subscribers as Uday Shankar eyes domestic growth

    MUMBAI: JioStar India’s JioHotstar  has reached a milestone of 200 million paying subscribers, making it “one of the biggest streaming services anywhere in the world,” according to vice-chairman Uday Shankar. The rapid subscriber growth since JioStar’s merger validates the company’s belief that “Indians are willing to pay” for content, albeit at “very aggressive” pricing.

    “Our challenge is not to compete with someone. Our challenge is to create a much bigger market,” Shankar said on an interview with BloombergTV’s  Haslinda Amin. “We want to get into every household. We want to be if there is a connected device, we want our content to surface there. We want to be the destination for every Indian who has access to connectivity and data to come in every day for all their requirements of premium content.  “

    The streaming service, backed by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, appears well-positioned to weather global trade tensions. As tariffs roil international markets, JioStar’s “heavily domestic focused” business provides shelter from the storm. “Our consumers are largely Indian. Our content and the driver content, most of it is Indian,” Shankar explained.

    The Indian Premier League (IPL) remains JioStar’s crown jewel, with viewership expected to cross 400-450 million by tournament’s end on  JioHotstar and Star Sports TV channels. However, Shankar views IPL as a “tactical asset” due to its seasonal nature, emphasising the need for year-round content in Indian languages supplemented by Hollywood partnerships.

    While acknowledging potential interest from international investors (read Chelsea club owner Todd Boehly) in IPL teams, Shankar remained coy about JioStar’s future bidding strategy: “We would be very committed to IPL… But then there is a lot of cricket going around, and it finally comes down to the price.”

    Looking ahead, JioStar aims to “consolidate” over the next 12 months by deepening user engagement for its JioHotstar service. “Now that we have got to a sizable number of subscribers, we definitely want to make sure that we get their attention more and more,” said Shankar, though he declined to provide specific subscriber targets beyond the current 200 million. ”Our focus is can we create JioHotstar as an alternative to television as a bouquet, and make sure that we have the attention of everyone every day?”

    With India facing lighter tariff impacts than other nations—26 per cent on some goods, temporarily suspended for 90 days—Shankar expressed optimism about bilateral arrangements between India and the US. Nevertheless, he cautioned that if “global turmoil” continues, “there’ll be impact on consumption, and all of us will be impacted.”

  • SportsBaazi recruits Uthappa, pitches sports trading as data-driven skill

    SportsBaazi recruits Uthappa, pitches sports trading as data-driven skill

    MUMBAI: Online fantasy sports platform SportsBaazi has launched a campaign fronted by Robin Uthappa, promoting sports trading as a skill-based activity. The initiative, timed with IPL 2025, aims to shift fan engagement from passive viewing to active participation via live match moments trading. Uthappa, highlighting the role of data and discipline, features in the campaign films demonstrating strategic decision-making in real-time trading scenarios.

    The campaign emphasises trading as a blend of intellect and analysis, not chance. SportsBaazi, chief marketing officer Puneet Dua asserts the platform seeks to legitimise sports trading as a mainstream skill format.

    Says he: “This campaign is not just about awareness—it’s about sparking a movement. We’re building a space for serious sports fans—those who bring intellect, preparation, and strategy to their gameplay. Robin Uthappa’s evolution from cricketer to life coach to sports trader perfectly aligns with the mindset we want to cultivate — composed, thoughtful, and data driven. With IPL 2025 energising the nation, we’re excited to amplify this narrative across India’s sports-loving heartland.”

    Adds Robin Uthappa:  “What attracted me to this campaign was the philosophy behind it. I’ve always believed that great performance on the field or in life comes down to clarity, preparation, and discipline. Sports trading is a game of insight, pattern recognition, and strategic timing. I see it as a natural evolution for the serious sports fan. If my journey can inspire even a few to explore it with the right mindset, I’ll consider it a win.”

    But Uthappa’s role goes far deeper than screen presence. In creative workshops with the SportsBaazi team, he also reimagined the platform’s core slogan. “While we began with ‘Dil. Dimag. Data,’ Robin added a fourth ‘D’: Discipline. That struck a chord. So much so, it became the name of our flagship podcast — Dimag. Data. Discipline — hosted in collaboration with him,” adds Dua.

    Uthappa’s involvement underscores the campaign’s focus on strategic play.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4_ORCgcvNA
     

    Digital platforms, including JioHotstar, YouTube, and Instagram, will distribute the campaign content, targeting India’s expanding digital user base in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. SportsBaazi aims to convert cricket viewership into active trading, advocating for a data-centric approach to sports engagement.

  • Women cricket anchors dazzle this IPL season with diamond flair

    Women cricket anchors dazzle this IPL season with diamond flair

    MUMBAI: Cricket may be about bat, ball, and brilliance but this IPL season, there’s another element lighting up screens: bling. As the Tata IPL 2025 sets stadiums ablaze, India’s top women cricket anchors are stepping into the spotlight with more than just stats and sharp commentary they’re shimmering in natural diamonds.

    In a first-of-its-kind partnership, De Beers Group has joined forces with Star Sports and JioHotstar to add sparkle to the studio. Eleven celebrated presenters from across feeds are donning exquisite diamond jewellery during match broadcasts proving that cricket and couture can go hand-in-hand.

    From layered bangles to cocktail rings and statement neckpieces, the diamonds are not just accessories, they’re part of the performance. Whether delivering power plays or pre-match predictions, the anchors are bringing glam to the game, fusing cricket’s high energy with the poise of polished elegance.

    But the shine doesn’t stop there. The partnership has also rolled out a new segment, Real Diamonds of the Week, spotlighting cricketers whose on-field feats echo the qualities of a diamond resilience, brilliance, and timeless appeal. It’s a sparkling tribute that swaps the traditional ‘player of the match’ with something a little more radiant.

    De Beers Group SVP Shweta Harit said, “Cricket and natural diamonds both embody authenticity, excellence and a lasting legacy. Just as the game unites fans across regions and generations, natural diamonds symbolize connections that stand the test of time. This collaboration brings the brilliance of the sport and the timeless allure of diamonds together, making every moment on screen even more memorable.”

    JioStar chief business officer for sports revenue and SMB & creator Ishan Chatterjee,  said, “With record-breaking viewership marking the opening weekend of Tata IPL 2025, cricket continues to unite audiences like never before. This collaboration between De Beers Group and India’s leading women anchors adds brilliance to the game, blending its precision and passion with the timeless elegance of natural diamonds. Just as cricketing icons leave an indelible mark on the field, these presenters shape the narrative with confidence and style, making every moment even more unforgettable.”

    It’s a rare match where sport and sparkle share the screen but one that’s clearly hitting it out of the park. In a league obsessed with sixes, this glittering collaboration is a stylish seventh.

  • Lotus Herbals unveils marketing blitz for souped-up sunscreen serum

    Lotus Herbals unveils marketing blitz for souped-up sunscreen serum

    MUMBAI: India’s natural beauty heavyweight Lotus Herbals is ramping up promotion for its latest sun-shielding innovation with a multimedia marketing assault. The company’s Safe Sun Ultra Rx Sunscreen Serum SPF60+ PA++++ is being thrust into the spotlight via a campaign blanketing OTT platforms, television channels and social media.

    The new offering aims to solve the sun-protection conundrum that has long plagued consumers: effective coverage without the dreaded white-cast ghosting or breakout-inducing heaviness. This water-based formulation, infused with skin-strengthening Cica and hydrating hyaluronic acid, promises to disappear into  the skin within seconds while delivering industrial-strength sun protection.

    The promotional film employs a see-saw metaphor to highlight how most sunscreens force users into an unwelcome compromise between protection and appearance. Enter the protagonist who demonstrates how this serum tips the scales in favour of both benefits.

    Says Lotus Herbals  chairman and managing director Nitin Passi. ” Our new campaign for the Safe Sun UltraRx Sunscreen Serum highlights the unmatched protection this sunscreen offers and also celebrates the aspirations and needs of the modern woman. This revolutionary water-based serum, with SPF60+ PA ++++ emboldens women to combat the sun, with unwavering confidence, while nurturing healthy blemish free skin.”

    The marketing push includes presence across JioHotstar, regional TV channels, and social platforms, complemented by in-store promotional materials designed to lure shoppers at the point of purchase.

    Lotus Herbals’ Safe Sun range now boasts over 22 variants, having pioneered several sunscreen innovations in the Indian market, including the country’s first matte gel sunscreen and sports-focused sun blocks. This latest serum appears to be their answer to young consumers tired of being forced to choose between sun safety and social-media-ready skin.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88v9QzIMkoA
     

  • Caratlane unveils celestial-inspired Sol and Luna festive collections

    Caratlane unveils celestial-inspired Sol and Luna festive collections

    MUMBAI: Caratlane – A Tata Product, has launched two celestial-inspired festive collections, Sol & Luna, capturing the essence of new beginnings with stunning craftsmanship in gold and diamonds. Timed perfectly for regional new years and Akshaya Tritiya, these collections symbolise prosperity, transformation, and timeless elegance.

    Caratlane, CEO & MD Saumen Bhaumik, shared his excitement, “At Caratlane, we’re committed to making stunning jewellery. This festive season, we’re bringing 2 distinct collections – Sol and Luna, deeply symbolic of blending celestial grandeur embraced with prosperity and auspiciousness. Sol, the dawn of your brilliance is a tribute to new beginnings and endless possibilities. Inspired by the moon’s ever-changing beauty, Luna is a tribute to every phase of you. These collections perfectly reflect our vision of high-jewellery craftsmanship and everyday elegance, designed to be effortlessly wearable at accessible price points.”

    Sol – Crafted in 18KT yellow gold, SIFG diamonds, and special-cut yellow gemstones, Sol draws inspiration from the golden hues of sunrise, symbolising the brilliance of fresh opportunities.

    Luna – Reflecting the ever-changing phases of the moon, Luna’s intricate diamond-studded 18KT gold designs embody elegance, resilience, and transformation.

    Caratlane  is ensuring a high-impact debut for Sol and Luna, leveraging its IPL associate sponsorship with Star Sports HD and JioHotstar to showcase its designs to millions. The campaign is further amplified through strategic OOH placements and newspaper ads across The Times of India network.

    Starting from Rs 20,000, the Sol and Luna collections are now available online at Caratlane  stores, and via the brand’s Try-at-home service. As part of a limited-time festive offer, customers will receive a 0.5gm gold coin on every Rs 30,000 purchase.

    With its celestial-inspired brilliance, Caratlane’s Sol and Luna collections are set to redefine festive jewellery this season.

  • JioHotstar and Amitabh Bachchan bring Ram Navami celebrations to millions

    JioHotstar and Amitabh Bachchan bring Ram Navami celebrations to millions

    MUMBAI: JioHotstar is set to bring the sacred grandeur of Ram Navami to millions with a special live stream from Ayodhya on 6 April, from 8 am to 1 pm. Featuring Padma Vibhushan Amitabh Bachchan as the narrator of the Ram Katha, the event will combine spiritual rituals, musical tributes, and cultural performances, making it an unmissable experience for devotees.

    Following the massive success of Coldplay’s Music of the spheres and the Mahashivratri: The Divine Night live streams, JioHotstar continues to revolutionise digital devotion, bridging the gap between audiences and India’s most cherished cultural celebrations.

    At the heart of this extraordinary event, Bachchan will narrate evocative stories from the Ramayana, offering reflections on Lord Ram’s virtues and timeless wisdom. The celebration will also include,

    Live aartis from sacred sites including Bhadrachalam, Panchvati, Chitrakoot, and Ayodhya , A special pooja from Ayodhya’s Ram Janmabhoomi, Interactive storytelling sessions for children, making the Ramayana engaging and relatable, Soul-stirring bhajans and musical performances by Kailash Kher, Malini Awasthi, and other revered artists. 

    A JioHotstar spokesperson stated, “Our live streaming capabilities have allowed us to bring culturally significant experiences to audiences across India. With the legend himself, Bachchan narrating Lord Ram’s journey, this event promises to be deeply moving and spiritually enriching.”

    Bachchan said, “Ram Navami is more than a festival it is a moment of deep reflection, a time to embrace the ideals of dharma, devotion, and righteousness that Lord Ram personified. Through JioHotstar, we are blessed with the power of technology to transcend distances, uniting hearts across the nation in an unprecedented celebration of faith, culture, and spirituality.” 

  • JioHotstar scores a ton, hits 100 million subscribers in streaming blitz

    JioHotstar scores a ton, hits 100 million subscribers in streaming blitz

    MUMBAI: JioHotstar has smashed through the 100 million subscriber barrier, a right royal victory in India’s streaming wars. The platform, a product of the $8.5 billion Disney-Reliance mega-merger, has turned streaming from a posh indulgence into a daily must-have for millions of Indians. They’ve clearly got their ducks in a row.

    Their secret weapon? Sports, and lots of it. They’ve snapped up the rights to the IPL, ICC events, and the Women’s Premier League, turning cricket into a digital spectacle. And the streamer is not just showing the game; it’s throwing in all the bells and whistles: 4K ultra-HD, AI-powered analytics, real-time stats, and even voice commands. It’s like watching the match with a team of tech wizards in your living room.

    But it’s not all about the cricket. JioHotstar boasts a “world’s most extensive” TV library, Hollywood blockbusters, and a smorgasbord of Indian language content. It has even dabbled in live streaming cultural events, from Coldplay concerts to religious ceremonies, proving they’re not afraid to mix things up.

    “We have always believed that world-class entertainment should be accessible to all,” said JioStar CEO Kiran Mani sounding rather pleased with himself. “This milestone not only underscores India’s limitless potential but also strengthens our commitment to pioneering category-first experiences.”

    The streamer has  also launched Sparks, featuring India’s popular content creators, which sounds like a right old digital knees-up.

    This subscriber surge marks a significant victory for JioHotStar, proving that a potent mix of sports, entertainment, and a bit of tech wizardry can win the hearts (and wallets) of millions. And with the IPL 2025 season in full swing, one imagines the team is  popping the champagne.

  • ICC Champions Trophy 2025 smashes viewership records in India

    ICC Champions Trophy 2025 smashes viewership records in India

    MUMBAI: The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has knocked previous cricket viewership records for six, becoming the most-watched multi-nation cricket tournament ever in India, the ICC declared in a press release issued on 21 March. The eight-team competition outpaced the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 by a whopping 23 per cent in TV ratings.

    Indians devoured an eye-watering 250 billion minutes of cricket action across platforms during the tournament, with 137 billion minutes consumed on Star Sports and another 110 billion minutes on JioHotstar.

    The India-New Zealand final played in Dubai on 9 March drew an extraordinary peak concurrency of 122 million live viewers on television and 61 million on JioHotstar—the highest digital viewership ever recorded for cricket. The match became the second-highest rated ODI in TV history outside of World Cup matches, with 230 million viewers tuning in and 53 billion minutes of watch-time across all platforms.

    “The Champions Trophy made an amazing return after eight years and the viewership numbers from India have been overwhelming,” said an over-the-moon ICC chairman Jay Shah. “The incredible figures highlight the mass appeal that cricket has in India and how taking ICC events to audiences in different languages can significantly boost fan engagement.”

    The group stage encounter between arch-rivals India and Pakistan—cricket’s equivalent of a bare-knuckle brawl—became one of the most-watched ODI matches in Indian history. The match clocked over 26 billion minutes of watch-time on linear TV, besting the countries’ 2023 World Cup clash by 10.8 per cent.

    The Dubai contest on 23 February, which saw India maintain their hex over Pakistan in ICC tournaments thanks to Virat Kohli’s heroics, was watched by a staggering 206 million people on linear TV.

    Jio Star  chief executive for sports Sanjog Gupta couldn’t resist a bit of corporate chest-thumping: “This accomplishment is a result of the combined strength of the widest, most deeply penetrated multi-platform destination for sports, the fan-focussed story-telling approach of the JioStar ‘mega-casts’ and our superior technological capabilities.”

    The extraordinary viewership was bolstered by rights holders JioStar’s comprehensive coverage strategy. Matches were broadcast in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada on Star Sports and Sports 18 channels.

    On digital platforms, the tournament was streamed across a record 16 feeds, including nine languages—English, Hindi, Marathi, Haryanvi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada—plus four multi-cam feeds, an Indian Sign Language feed and the Max View feed on JioHotstar.

    India’s unbeaten run to the trophy certainly didn’t hurt viewing figures, with fans glued to screens throughout the tournament. The marketing campaign, targeting “differentiated audience segments with distinct persuasions across devices,” appears to have hit the sweet spot of the bat.

    For advertisers who paid top rupee for spots during the tournament, the unprecedented viewership must feel like money well spent. For Indian cricket fans, it was simply another opportunity to indulge their national obsession—albeit in greater numbers than ever before.

  • IPL 2025 gets a fresh coat as Birla Opus Paints colours outside the lines

    IPL 2025 gets a fresh coat as Birla Opus Paints colours outside the lines

    MUMBAI: When cricket fever hits India, even the paint industry pads up. As the IPL 2025 season bowls over fans across the country, Birla Opus Paints has stepped onto the pitch with a splash. The paint brand has partnered with JioHotstar to stir up more than just fan emotions—they’re mixing colours and cricket like a pro bartender at a Holi party.

    Yes, Birla Opus Paints, under the mighty umbrella of Aditya Birla Group’s Grasim Industries, announced its official partnership with the Tata IPL 2025 and JioHotstar, rolling out a quirky campaign called the ‘Indian Colours League’. The concept? Every IPL match now spawns a brand-new paint shade, born from the merging team colours of the day. It’s cricket meets chemistry, with a splash of marketing genius.

    Each time two rival franchises face off, their iconic team colours blend in real time to create a new, exclusive shade. It’s not just paint—it’s pigment poetry. This colourful concoction symbolises not just the intensity of the match but also the camaraderie, shared history and electric energy both teams bring to the pitch.

    Players from the competing teams will share what their team colours mean to them in pre-match videos. As they wax lyrical, their team hues morph into a fresh Birla Opus Paints signature shade, capturing the essence of the upcoming clash. Imagine blue and yellow creating more than just green—they’re painting legacies now.

    “At Birla Opus Paints, we believe in the transformative power of colours. This IPL season, through the Indian Colours League, we’re blending the colours of the rival teams in each match to celebrate camaraderie and legacy. This IPL season, we invite fans to witness the magic that happens when colours fuse – because both in cricket and in life, every interaction has the power to create something truly unforgettable,” said Birla Opus Paints head – marketing Inderpreet Singh.

    JioHotstar CBO, sports revenue, SMB & creator, Ishan Chatterjee chimed in with equal flair, “At JioHotstar, we are always looking for ways to push the boundaries of fan engagement, and the Indian Colours League does just that. Cricket and colours both have a deep emotional connection with people, and this campaign beautifully brings them together. By blending the worlds of cricket and colour, we are offering fans an experience that goes beyond the game, turning every match into a visual spectacle.”

    Leo – south Asia CCO Sachin Kamble made a poetic pitch, “Cricket isn’t just a game – it’s a canvas of passion, sportsmanship, emotion, camaraderie just like the colours that represent each team and their winning spirit. Indian Colours League leverages this aspect of IPL. Just how competitiveness blends with friendship resulting in a good game, two colours come together to create another beautiful shade, the colour that stands for unity bringing the country together.”

    This dazzling marketing idea was co-conceptualised by Birla Opus Paints, Leo India and Wavemaker India in partnership with JioHotstar. A colourful ménage à trois, if you will.

    Each shade forged in the crucible of cricketing rivalry becomes more than just a colour. It’s a limited-edition legacy. A visual souvenir of that epic clash. A brushstroke in cricket’s ongoing mural of madness. Forget hex codes, these hues come with hashtags and heartbreaks.

    Launched in 2024, Birla Opus Paints is already making a splash in the decorative paints segment. Now, they’re turning matches into colour-coded memories.