Hotstar | Entertainment enterprise’s integration journey with Disney

An evolution made humans control everything over their hands with Smart devices and intelligent technology. One among those is media entertainment, which is mandatory for every person; if that is available over video streaming with unlimited viewing content is sufficient. There were already legends of leading media digital platforms such as Netflix, YouTube, etc. Hotstar joined the media league platform late, but undoubtedly it is the leading digital entertainment platform. 

Every Indian’s favorite star channels in a single platform. People themselves became the marketing for Hotstar. It gained much recognition at the initial launch with Iconic shows content and traveled to Disney Walt.

Start of Hotstar journey

Initially, Hotstar launched Mumbai as headquarters in 2015, February 11^th by Novi Digital Entertainment Private Limited as Hotstar.com and operated by Star India Private Limited. The struggle to grow was hectic and launched in the season of IPL with a sporting event. The downloading at first reached 2 million and topped a list of free apps on the play store. And within weeks, it got downloads of 10 million, growing forwards a Year passed 75 million. 

In 2017, with 9+ languages, it had different contents like unlimited live sports, new Indian movies, Hotstar specials, star serials before TV, and English shows.  It also provides its user with various options, such as free and subscription-based. Subscription is available in 2 tiers, mainly VIP and premium. Based on this subscription, the video quality and the content view changed with free service offers.

Furthermore, it added international content along with sports live shows and provided a partnership with Airtel and Reliance Jio, offering one year of Disney Plus Hotstar VIP subscription for free with some plans. Hotstar broke its viewership in 2019, setting a global record of 18.6 million, and further, it increased to 25 million and crossed 100 million users.

Integration with Disney+

Like the star channel, Hotstar turned similarly to Bob Iger, owner of Disney company, a child company of 21^st Century Fox. As a reopening of IPL in 2020, Iger planned to launch the new brand, Disney+, but as of the COVID -19 situation, the match was postponed. Hence the launch was delayed to coincide with the game. Finally, on 3 April, they launched Disney+Hotstar with Hindi dubbed English movies and series featuring famous Bollywood actors.  

And there was a significant change in 2020 for Hotstar’s new president took the takeover place of Sunil Ryan, Google’s former worker. Also, it started direct streaming in films with Disney+hotstar multiplex as covid-19 closed many cinema halls and theaters. So it partnered with filmmakers and released many short movies and series of high quality in many language options. 

As innovative technology supports all smart devices and is accessible to more than four devices based on the plan and subscription user, these plans are usable even for disney+ subscribers.

Disney+ Hotstar journey

The net worth of Hotstar is approximately $17.64 Million. It is one of the top digital platforms in collaboration with Disney. With this growth, one day, it will hold a special place in this Disney+ portfolio. And its market rate is growing at 21.8% by the year 2023. So, soon it will be the lead brand in Disney+ and might be a significant source of income.