Disney Plus Hotstar: Failing in India? Will Jio Buy It?
Disney Plus Hotstar, once India's leading streaming platform, has been struggling in recent months. The platform has lost subscribers, and its parent company, Walt Disney, is reportedly considering selling the business.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to Disney Plus Hotstar's decline. One is the loss of the streaming rights to the Indian Premier League (IPL), the country's most popular cricket tournament. Disney Plus Hotstar had been streaming the IPL for several years, but in 2022, the rights were sold to Viacom18 for a record $2.1 billion.
Another factor is the rise of JioCinema, a competing streaming platform from Reliance Jio, India's largest telecom operator. JioCinema has been offering aggressive pricing and a wide range of content, including the IPL, which has helped it to attract subscribers.
Disney Plus Hotstar has also been criticized for its high prices and limited content selection. The platform has been accused of focusing too heavily on Disney and Marvel content, and not enough on Indian content.
In light of these challenges, it is no surprise that Disney is reportedly considering selling Disney Plus Hotstar. One potential buyer is Jio, which would give the company a dominant position in the Indian streaming market.
Will Jio buy Disney Plus Hotstar?
It is possible that Jio could buy Disney Plus Hotstar. The company has the financial resources to do so, and it has a strong track record of success in the Indian telecom and media industries.
However, there are a few challenges that could prevent the deal from happening. One is regulatory approval. The Indian government has been cracking down on the dominance of big tech companies, and it is possible that the government could block the deal if it feels that it would give Jio too much power in the streaming market.
Another challenge is the valuation of Disney Plus Hotstar. Disney is likely to want a high price for the platform, given its large subscriber base and potential for growth. However, Jio may be reluctant to pay too much, given the platform's recent struggles.
Overall, it is too early to say whether or not Jio will buy Disney Plus Hotstar. However, it is a deal that would have a major impact on the Indian streaming market.
What does the future hold for Disney Plus Hotstar?
If Disney does not sell Disney Plus Hotstar, the platform will need to make some changes in order to compete with JioCinema and other streaming platforms. The company will need to offer more competitive pricing, a wider range of content, and a better user experience.
Disney Plus Hotstar could also try to partner with other companies in order to expand its reach and offerings. For example, the platform could partner with local telecom companies to offer bundled subscriptions.
The future of Disney Plus Hotstar is uncertain, but the platform has the potential to be a major player in the Indian streaming market.