Last November, Disney announced its merger with Reliance and Viacom18, sparking curiosity about the future of its streaming platforms.
However, after months of silence, things started moving when Disney Star teased the upcoming merger of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar.
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A teaser clip posted on Disney Star’s official X (formerly Twitter) account stated, “A new era begins”, with a caption hinting at the merger: “What happens when two worlds of entertainment merge in the universe”.
This fueled speculation about the name of the upcoming platform, with sources suggesting it would be called JioHotstar, not JioStar, as previously rumored.
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However, there is still confusion over whether JioStar or JioHotstar is the final name.
Reports also emerged that JioCinema had started canceling autopay mandates, possibly to transition existing subscribers to the new JioHotstar platform.
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Additionally, all Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema content was expected to be consolidated under Hotstar, with JioCinema shutting down and Disney+ being rebranded as Jio Hotstar.
It was also rumored that IPL 2025 would be placed behind a paywall, marking a shift from JioCinema’s previous free streaming model.
However, in a sudden twist, the JioHotstar branding has reportedly been scrapped, and Disney Star has reverted to its original name. The teaser video has also been deleted, raising major doubts about the merger’s status.
Adding to the confusion, the JioHotstar logo received heavy trolling on social media for looking unattractive. Some now wonder if this backlash played a role in reverting to the original name.
This unexpected development has created massive confusion in the industry. Many are now questioning whether the merger has fallen apart or postponed at the last minute, which would be a huge shock to the Indian OTT landscape.
More clarity is awaited on what’s really happening behind the scenes.
