The much-anticipated merger of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar is set to reshape the streaming landscape in India. These two OTT giants command a significant share of the market, and insiders believe the combined platform could dominate the Indian streaming space. While there hasn’t been an official announcement on how the two platforms will merge, reports suggest a new platform called JioHotstar is in the works. However, this may hit a roadblock, as a Delhi techie has already snagged the JioHotstar domain.
The JioHotstar Domain Name
If you visit the JioHotstar domain now, you’ll find a simple webpage with a banner reading “JioHotstar: Best of Entertainment, Streaming Soon.” There are no logos or official branding on the page, but it does contain an interesting message addressed to the executives of Reliance Industries, which owns JioCinema.
The message reveals that the person who purchased the domain is a Delhi-based app developer working on their startup. They explain that in early 2023 while scrolling through social media, they came across reports that Disney+ Hotstar was losing daily active users after losing the rights to stream the IPL. Speculation about a possible merger or sale of Hotstar to an Indian competitor led the developer to believe that Reliance, through Viacom18, might acquire the platform. Recalling Jio’s past rebranding of Saavn as JioSaavn after acquiring the music service, the developer saw an opportunity and purchased the JioHotstar.com domain, anticipating a similar rebrand if Reliance acquired Hotstar.
The Developer’s Ask
The developer is willing to part with the domain—but with a catch. They are seeking funding to achieve their dream of studying at Cambridge University. They shared that a project of theirs had previously been selected for the Cambridge University Accelerate program, and they hope to study there but face financial barriers. Cambridge, known for its steep costs, offers a full degree program in entrepreneurship, a course the developer has long aspired to pursue.
In their message, the developer calls on both Viacom and Reliance Industries to reach out with an official letter authorizing the purchase of the domain. They note that while the cost of acquiring the domain would be a small sum for a company as large as Reliance, the sale would be life-changing for them.
This interesting twist in the JioCinema-Disney+ Hotstar merger saga adds a new layer of complexity to what promises to be a major move in India’s OTT space. Will Reliance accept the offer and help the techie fund their education, or will we see a different approach to this anticipated rebranding? Only time will tell.
