JioCinema vs Hotstar: Which OTT Is Leading The Indian Market?

Recently, we published an article on the JioCinema business model where we briefly explained its competition with Hotstar. And we were bombarded with requests from our readers asking for detailed info on JioCinema vs Hotstar. 

So, in this article, we will look into the detailed comparison of JioCinema vs Hotstar in terms of various aspects.

Stay tuned!

JioCinema vs Hotstar: Profile Comparison

First of all, let’s compare the profiles of both platforms-

Note: We have already explained the JioCinema business model. Go through the article for detailed information.

Both of them have the current status of “active.” Do you know, one of them may gradually discontinue in the future? 

Sounds quite surprising… right?

Well, it is so because Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) will soon control the Star-Viacom18 merged entity. Thereafter, RIL is planning to have only one OTT platform. Which one? You may ask. We will discuss it in the upcoming sections.

Features Comparison of JioCinema vs Hotstar

Now, let’s compare the features of JioCinema and Hotstar-

Starting with the cost, JioCinema is the clear winner. At just Rs.29 per month or Rs.299 per year, it’s a steal compared to Hotstar’s Rs.499 per month or Rs.1,499 per year. That means you’ll be paying almost half the daily cost with JioCinema—just Rs.0.97 versus Hotstar’s Rs.2.46.

But pricing isn’t everything, right? 

Let’s talk content. JioCinema offers a vast library of movies, TV shows, and live sports, including exclusive HBO content. Hotstar, on the other hand, boasts an extensive collection, including Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars—big names if you’re a fan of those franchises.

When it comes to quality, both platforms excel. JioCinema promises top-notch video and audio, and Hotstar steps up with 4K video and Dolby Atmos sound. Plus, both services allow you to stream on four devices simultaneously and download content for offline viewing. 

So, which one’s better? If you’re after affordability and love HBO content, JioCinema has the edge. But if you’re a Disney or Marvel buff willing to pay more for the brand names, Hotstar might be your go-to.

JioCinema vs Hotstar: Business Comparison

So, we are talking about which OTT is leading the Indian market out of JioCinema and Hotstar. Right? To determine that, we need to compare various aspects of business. So here we go- 

When it comes to leading the Indian OTT market, Hotstar clearly has the upper hand over JioCinema.

Here’s how!

Let’s start with market share. In Q4 2023, Hotstar dominated with a 24% share, while JioCinema trailed behind at just 6%. This significant gap shows Hotstar’s strong foothold in the Indian OTT landscape.

Looking at user base numbers, Hotstar again takes the lead with 333 million active users and an impressive 35.5 million paid subscribers. JioCinema, while popular, has 237 million monthly active users, but its daily active users are fewer at 33 million. This difference suggests that Hotstar has a more engaged audience.

Financially, both platforms are performing well, but Hotstar stands out with a total revenue of Rs.4,340.79 crore in FY23, despite reporting a loss of Rs.748.34 crore. JioCinema’s parent company RIL’s media business faced a 25.6% decline in net profit, signaling challenges.

Globally, Hotstar’s rank of 1,102 is slightly better than JioCinema’s 1,155, indicating broader appeal. Both platforms are heavily accessed by Indian users, but Hotstar’s comprehensive offerings, including sports and exclusive content, give it a competitive edge.

So, while JioCinema is growing, Hotstar currently leads the Indian OTT market.

Future Prospects: Will Disney+ Hotstar discontinue?

You might be asking yourself, “Will Disney+ Hotstar die?” With the big changes coming, it’s a fair question. Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), which will soon control both Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema after their merger, is considering combining the two platforms into one. Imagine having just one OTT platform instead of two—it makes sense, right? It saves money and helps create a strong competitor to YouTube, Netflix, and Prime Video.

Now, you might think Disney+ Hotstar is too big to disappear, especially with its 500 million downloads compared to JioCinema’s 100 million. But there’s more to the story. Even though Disney+ Hotstar had 333 million monthly active users in Q4 2023, it’s lost a lot of its paid subscribers—down to 35.5 million from 61 million when it still had IPL and HBO content.

On the other hand, JioCinema is on the rise, especially after securing IPL rights and bringing in top talent from Prime Video and YouTube.

So, if RIL merges the two, JioCinema will become a content giant, inheriting all the great shows and movies from Disney+ Hotstar. The Disney+ Hotstar name might fade, but its content and influence will live on in JioCinema, making it the top streaming app in India!