JioStar, the recently established joint venture between Viacom18 and Star India, has formally announced the debut of JioHotstar, a single streaming platform that combines JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, putting an end to months of suspense. By combining a sizable content collection from the two streaming behemoths under one roof, the deal represents a significant consolidation in India’s OTT market.
At first, JioHotstar would provide users with free access to films, television series, and live sports during specific hours. Starting at INR 149, the portal will also launch a variety of subscription plans catered to the varied tastes of its audience. According to the corporation, JioHotstar will be a seamless transfer for current JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar customers.
According to a statement from Kiran Mani, CEO of JioStar’s digital division, JioHotstar has a compelling vision: to genuinely make luxury entertainment available to all Indians. Entertainment is now a shared experience for everyone rather than a luxury thanks to brand claims of “infinite possibilities.” The partnership is personalising material like never before by including AI-driven suggestions and providing streaming in more than 19 languages.
How Collaboration will Operate?
Following the integration, JioHotstar will have a ten-language content library with a selection of TV series, original productions, reality shows, movies, anime, and global premieres. JioHotstar will also stream elite competitions, such as ICC events, the Indian Premier League (IPL), and the Women’s Premier League (WPL), among others, further solidifying its standing as a top sports destination. In addition to cricket, the platform will feature domestic league matches like Pro Kabaddi and the Indian Super League (ISL), as well as international sporting events including Wimbledon and the Premier League.
According to Sanjog Gupta, CEO of JioStar’s sports vertical, the recently established company is dedicated to providing an experience that is as immersive as being in the stadium itself, whether it’s the intense Premier League matchup, the drama of the Champions Trophy, or the high-octane IPL. With the tremendous reception to Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres webcast, we see this innovation go beyond sports, and the corporation is eager to keep innovating.
Tweaking the Business Strategy
Instead of offering free streaming for IPL cricket matches, the joint venture plans to change its approach. JioHotstar will instead use a hybrid model, letting consumers watch matches for free up to a point, after which they will need to subscribe to continue. This comes after Reliance and Walt Disney agreed to combine their media businesses in India for $8.5 billion last year. After being approved by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in August 2024 and finalised in November of last year, the deal has produced a media powerhouse with over 100 TV stations, two streaming services, and an estimated 750 million users.
Viacom18 has been strengthening its leadership team to guide the combined company as it unifies its activities under the newly established JioHotstar. Ishan Chatterjee, a former YouTube executive, was named the old JioCinema’s chief business officer (CBO) in October 2024 to spur expansion, while Mani, the former top boss of JioCinema and Google, was given the responsibility of leading JioStar’s digital division.
The combined OTT platform will now face off against giants worldwide like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. While Zee5 and SonyLIV are now distant competitors in the streaming battle due to the failed Zee-Sony merger, Amazon is actively pursuing India’s mass-market audience after its MX Player merger.
Every year, January 26th is observed with celebrations and patriotic fervor across the country. India is going to celebrate its 75th Republic Day this year.
Republic Day is commemorated with great excitement around the nation. With its start in Delhi’s Rajpath and finish at India Gate, the procession is the main attraction of the festivities. On this day, the President of the Republic raises the national flag at Rajpath in New Delhi. In addition to cultural programs, the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force highlight India’s cultural and social past through parades and airshows.
Republic Day represents the spirit of Indian autonomy. These initiatives aim to find exceptional talent nationwide and give well-known businesses a chance to participate in Republic Day celebrations over the years. In this post, we’ll look at the top Republic Day campaigns that embody the soul of the nation’s pride and perseverance. These initiatives symbolize a company’s dedication to the principles that form the foundation of the Indian Republic, going beyond simple marketing efforts.
In a heartfelt tribute, Apollo Tyres released a touching digital video expressing unwavering support and respect for the nation’s defense forces. This CG-powered film showcases Apollo Tyres as a symbol of strength, standing alongside the forces in snowy landscapes, dense forests, and desert expanses. Set against the patriotic backdrop of “Vande Mataram,” the video serves as a simple yet powerful testament to Apollo Tyres’ commitment to honoring and supporting our armed forces.
Vistara
Republic Day Ad Campaigns – Vistara
Vistara’s #RepublicDay campaign unveils ‘Vistara’s Symphony,’ a mesmerizing soundtrack inspired by India’s diverse sounds and instruments. This harmonious celebration reflects the cultural melodies of the nation, inviting passengers to immerse themselves in the rich musical heritage of India during their flights.
IIFL Home Loans
Republic Day Ad Campaigns – IIFL Home Loans
IIFL Home Loans introduces Bharosa Bhau, the fearless companion on the path from dreams to success. With the tagline “No fear when Bharosa Bhau is here! Ab Sapne #SaathHongeKaamyaab,” this campaign showcases a trustworthy partner confidently reassuring millions of Indians. By emphasizing trust and support, IIFL Home Loans aims to make the journey toward homeownership seamless and confident.
Axis Bank
Republic Day Ad Campaigns – Axis Bank
Axis Bank’s campaign invites individuals to explore India in moments both ordinary and extraordinary, simple yet remarkable. By embracing the uniqueness of each experience, the campaign encourages viewers to uncover the India that authentically belongs to them, highlighting personal connections to the nation’s diverse culture and heritage.
Kia India
Republic Day Ad Campaigns – Kia India
Kia India commemorates a generation of brilliant minds, paying homage to the great nation on its 75th Republic Day. The campaign reflects on the continuous inspiration drawn from the nation, celebrating innovation and progress, and extends warm wishes to everyone on this significant occasion.
Hisense India reflects on the journey from watching parades as kids to witnessing India’s soaring achievements. Embracing a blend of traditions and groundbreaking innovations, the campaign looks forward to the future, celebrating the nation’s progress and the spirit of Republic Day.
Bajaj Allianz Life
Republic Day Ad Campaigns – Bajaj Allianz Life
Air India launched a stunning Republic Day ad that captured the essence of possibilities. With the tagline of “Together we soar,” it is an ode to the nation that is continually growing. Air India is embracing the spirit of progress and unity that proudly proclaims, “Desh Ka Naam #HarAasmaan.”
Air India launched a stunning Republic Day ad that captured the essence of possibilities. With the tagline of “Together we soar,” it is an ode to the nation that is continually growing. Air India is embracing the spirit of progress and unity that proudly proclaims, “Desh Ka Naam #HarAasmaan.”
Steadfast Nutrition
Republic Day Ad Campaigns – Steadfast Nutrition
Steadfast Nutrition’s “Thakna Nahi, Rukna Nahi” campaign was a compelling call to combat urban fatigue with energy-boosting supplements. Celebrating the nation builders, the campaign highlights tangible performance enhancements that are achieved through Steadfast Nutrition products.
Godrej
Republic Day Ad Campaigns – Godrej
Godrej’s Republic Day campaign of “Celebrating India’s Diamond Jubilee” with the hashtag #HeereJaisaMazboot was a salute to the nation’s strength and resilience. The campaign embodied a celebration of the country’s enduring spirit and its contributions on the global level.
Zupee
Republic Day Ad Campaigns – Zupee
The online gaming platform Zupee released a short film titled India Paasa Palat Raha Hai to help celebrate India’s triumphs over multiple sectors from the ‘Make in India’ initiative to the Chandrayaan Moon landing to our athletes proudly claiming medals at the international level. This video highlights the nation’s technological transformation as an emerging superpower.
Disney+ Hotstar
Disney+ Hotstar – Best Republic Day Ads
The core idea of Disney+ Hotstar’s Republic Day campaign is to celebrate the dual essence of independence and pride that define India’s identity. Using meticulously chosen images and stories, the streaming service distributes the country’s resilience, diversity, and the deeply held principles embodied in its constitution.
Visual aesthetics play an important part here, resulting in a symphony of colors, textures, and emotions that reflect India’s kaleidoscope. It invites viewers to participate in a celebration that is more than just entertainment—a celebration of independence, pride, and India’s unique tapestry.
Godrej For India
Godrej For India – Best Republic Day Ads
Godrej For India – Happy Republic Day” is a Godrej advertisement. The commercial wishes everyone a happy Republic Day and highlights the company’s dedication to the nation and its citizens. The advertising campaign presents a visually stunning trip showcasing India’s different landscapes, starting with the spectacular Himalayas and ending with the tranquil backwaters of Kerala.
Every frame captures the vivid colors and intricate cultural fabric that distinguishes India. It elicits an emotional response by appealing to the nostalgia associated with Godrej items in Indian households. Beyond the celebratory wishes, the campaign conveys a broader message of progress and unity. It emphasizes Godrej’s part in building strong families, encouraging creativity, and accompanying the country’s growth toward a more progressive India.
HP India
HP – Best Republic Day Campaign
Under the banner of Republic Day celebrations, HP India emphasizes the critical importance of freedom of expression in a democratic society. The ad sets out on an illustrated journey highlighting the value of respectful expression in creating a progressive society. The imagery in the campaign reflects the dynamism and diversity of modern India. The utilization of HP devices symbolizes the revolutionary influence that technology can have on an individual’s freedom of expression.
Parle-G
Best Republic Day Ads — Parle-G | Republic Day
Parle-G commemorated India’s 73rd Republic Day with a unique ‘Bharat Ka Apna Biscuit’ campaign highlighting the brand’s strong link with the country. Piyush Mishra, a well-known actor, is the campaign’s star, which tells the story of India’s relationship with the brand across time and its famous Rs. 5 biscuits. The campaign intends to tap into the emotional thread that connects every Indian to the brand, transforming Parle-G into a cultural phenomenon rather than merely a biscuit.
Parle-G’s storytelling is inclusive, showcasing characters from various walks of life, locations, and age groups. The characters in the campaign reflect India’s variety, underlining the concept that Parle-G is a unifying force that transcends boundaries.
India Gate
Best Republic Day Ads – India Gate Basmati Rice
Grains of Hope is a touching project launched by India Gate to honor the countless contributions made by individuals and organizations who act as agents of positive social change. This well-thought-out campaign revolves around the relationship between education, community, and nutrition. India Gate uses storytelling to increase the impact of its efforts on the lives of millions of youths.
In keeping with the spirit of Republic Day, the campaign discretely incorporates patriotic undertones by underlining the critical role that nutrition, in the form of the humble khichdi seen eaten by the schoolchildren, plays in developing a healthier, more resilient nation.
Mahindra
Best Republic Day Ads – Mahindra Wishes All Happy Republic Day | Mahindra Truck And Bus
Mahindra Truck and Bus have launched a touching Republic Day advertising campaign called “Sadak Ke Sipahi,” honoring the unsung heroes who drive India’s highways and back roads. The campaign pays homage to the backbone of the country’s transport infrastructure. Mahindra Truck and Bus wish the country a Happy Republic Day, emphasizing the nation’s courageous drivers’ vital role in paving the way for growth. Their message is one of courage and gratitude. It carefully mixes stories of sacrifice, determination, and companionship among the drivers, expressing the country’s sense of harmony. Mahindra’s Republic Day wishes are more than just a greeting. It lays the groundwork for gratitude.
SBI Life Insurance
SBI Life Insurance – Best Republic Day Campaign
In honor of the 70th Republic Day celebration, SBI Life Insurance debuted an impressive advertising campaign that transcended the present day and allowed viewers to travel across the country’s rich past in just seventy seconds. This capsule sought to instill a sense of pride and admiration for India’s rich heritage. The hashtag #CelebrateLife serves as a call to action for viewers to respect the past, enjoy the present, and look forward to the future with hope.
Flipkart
Flipkart – Best Republic Day Ads
With a touching ad titled “Happy Republic Day. #NayeIndiaKeSaath,” Flipkart, one of the pioneers in the eCommerce space, expressed genuine greetings on the bright 73rd Republic Day of India. The campaign’s fundamental message is unity in diversity, reflecting the ethos of a progressive India. The visuals, which range from the calm countryside to the busy streets of big cities, depict the rainbow of experiences that make up a more contemporary India and position Flipkart as a driver for its tech-savvy customers.
Ambuja Cement
zepublic ay dvertisement – A patriotic film by Ambuja Cement Ltd
Ambuja Cement Ltd. is a leading cement manufacturer in India, noted for its high-quality products and innovative solutions. The 72nd Republic Day of India commemorates a time when the world and nation were gradually recovering from the impacts of the pandemic. Through this heartwarming short film, “The School,” Ambuja Cement wants to emphasize that terrible times may come and go, but the nation’s patriotic spirit must remain unshakeable, intact, and resilient. As a symbolic backdrop, the school becomes a microcosm of a resilient India. Cinematic brilliance shows the evolution of a school that, like the nation, rises tall despite its challenges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Republic Day celebrations are a moment to appreciate our country’s rich past and diversity and an opportunity for businesses to interact with the audience through intriguing advertising campaigns. The power of narrative mixed with a strong message of unity and progress is a successful recipe for marketers looking to make a meaningful impression during Republic Day celebrations. The most effective Republic Day advertisements go beyond simple marketing; they inspire a sense of pride in the general public and connect them with the spirit of patriotism. This is precisely what the initiatives described in this piece do.
According to a media report, Reliance Industries (RIL), the parent company of Star-Viacom18, is considering limiting itself to JioCinema as its only over-the-top (OTT) platform following the merger, subject to regulatory approvals.
RIL is considering over a combination between Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema, even though the former has more downloads.
Star India’s streaming service, Disney+ Hotstar, is owned by Walt Disney, whilst Viacom 18, which is controlled by RIL, owns JioCinema.
The Future Strategy
With the acquisition of Star and Viacom18, RIL and Walt Disney planned to construct a $8.5 billion media conglomerate in the coming months. The giant would have had more than 100 channels and two streaming platforms.
The business is reportedly prepared to shut down channels in Hindi and regional markets in order to appease the Competition Commission of India (CCI) over worries about the market dominance of the projected Star-Viacom18 merger. Pending clearance from CCI and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), the businesses are in a holding pattern.
Market Dominance
The average monthly reach of JioCinema was 225 million consumers, as indicated in RIL’s annual report. According to Sensor Tower, 333 million people used Disney+ Hotstar at least once a month in the fourth quarter of 2023.
When it was at its highest point, with entertainment like HBO and the Indian Premier League (IPL), Disney+ Hotstar had 61 million paid customers. In June, that number dropped to 35.5 million, a substantial decline.
Why This Merger Will Change the Entire Market Dynamics?
Viacom18, which is owned by RIL, had previously integrated its Voot brand over-the-top (OTT) platforms with JioCinema. As of now, Viacom18’s OTT offerings included Voot, Voot Select, and Voot Kids.
The transfer of JioCinema to Viacom18 was previously approved by the NCLT and included investments of INR 15,145 crore in Viacom18 from RIL and Bodhi Tree Systems.
When JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar combine, it will become the leading streaming app in India with more than 125,000 hours of Hollywood, sports, and entertainment content.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) and other major cricket rights will also be held by it. Disney, HBO, NBCUniversal, and Paramount Global will also have content available.
“Record viewership of the Indian Premier League on JioCinema underscored our ability to scale up audiences on our digital platform in a short time,” RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani had stated in the company’s annual report.
Disney+, JioCinema, and Hotstar have reportedly been valued higher than the linear TV businesses of their parent firms, according to a recent media report. The valuation of Disney+ Hotstar was INR 16,040 crore, and a Viacom 18 affiliate received INR 24,186 crore for the transfer of JioCinema.
How in the world does a mobile TV app make money out of televised Indian cricket? Hotstar, that’s how. Hotstar, the online streaming service owned by Star India, has become the official broadcaster of IPL matches in India. The sports content distribution giant’s leap into the IPL broadcasting business is a big step toward Hotstar’s quest to create a digital cricket viewing experience beyond anything available in the market today. To understand how Hotstar is making money out of the Indian Premier League, we shall look closely at their business model, especially their growth story in such a short period.
The Hotstar business model revolves around three main revenue streams: ads, subscriptions, and other revenue streams.
Advertising on Hotstar
Hotstar generates the bulk of its revenues through advertising. The company has been improving its advertising capabilities to attract more advertisers and increase ad spending. The company recently launched Hotstar Premium, allowing advertisers to run ads during live broadcasts such as cricket matches or other sports events at specific times.
70% of the revenue comes from advertisers wanting to advertise on a cricket platform during IPL.
Subscription Model
Hotstar offers two types of subscriptions – monthly or annual – both priced at Rs 199 per month (approximately $2). Hotstar competes directly with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video with this subscription model. They offer similar pricing for their services in India (although both companies have yet to launch here). This means that Hotstar needs to ensure its content offering is sufficiently attractive for consumers to choose it over competitors.
Reason For the Huge Success of Hotstar
Hotstar Unique Viewers Growth
Hotstar Viewer Engagement
Hotstar is experimenting with viewer engagement options that let you predict the next scores and win prizes.
Hotstar, India’s premier destination for cricket, is experimenting with viewer engagement options that let you predict the next scores and win prizes.
The idea is simple: if you’re watching a match and want to get involved in predicting what happens next, now you can. You’ll be given a chance to predict the outcome of certain events within a match, like the next batsman to score or the next bowler to bowl. If your prediction is correct, you’ll earn points that can then be redeemed for cash prizes!
In some cases, viewers can even select their prize: one lucky winner will get a free subscription to their favorite channel on Hotstar! It’s an exciting new way for viewers to interact with their favorite content—and we’re excited to see how it goes.
The Rise in Mobile Internet Usage
The rise in mobile internet usage has boosted Hotstar.
The recent IPL season was the most-watched ever, with Hotstar’s live and catch-up viewing contributing to a total of 2.3 billion minutes consumed during the tournament. The platform also saw a whopping 300% growth in time spent on its app during the league compared to the previous year.
More than 269 million viewers spent around 60.6 billion minutes of live IPL streaming in the first week of 2020-21 IPL edition.
IPL is just one part of what makes up Hotstar’s programming slate; it also hosts content from other leagues like La Liga, Bundesliga and Premier League as well as live sports events like Wimbledon.
Hotstar Subscription Services
Hotstar Subscribers Worldwide
Hotstar has done a great job converting viewers to subscribers by focusing on India’s unique viewing patterns (viewers consume content on their phones).
They have also made it pretty easy for viewers to explore the offerings of its subscription services. The site’s homepage is a huge curated list of popular shows, which is an easy way to find something new.
Users can also browse the site by genre, which helps them narrow down their options further. The user interface (UI) is simple and clean, making it easy to navigate the website. It also loads quickly and does not overwhelm users with too many options.
IPL has a global audience, so the stakes are high here.
Hotstar, owned by the same parent company as IPL, had to work hard to keep up with demand during this cricket season. But they did it! As a result, Hotstar saw an 82% increase in signups over the 2020-2021 IPL season. They also saw an average of 40 million viewers per match (a 63% increase over the 2020-2021 IPL edition).
It’s not surprising that Hotstar was able to handle the increased traffic—they’ve been working on their infrastructure since 2016 when they launched their streaming app and platform. Since then, they’ve focused on building out their capabilities and improving their delivery mechanism to ensure that they can continue to deliver high-quality content at scale.
Recently Hotstar expand its reach into new territories such as Sri Lanka and Afghanistan—it now offers 12 languages across 159 countries!
Hotstar Advertising on Traditional Media
Traditional media has also started using Hotstar advertising media like Print, Outdoor, and Radio.
Hotstar has generated better returns for advertisers than traditional media by providing them with a platform that can be tracked with precision. The focus is on building brands rather than just promoting products.
This move was widely criticized by traditional media outlets, who felt that they were losing out on revenue due to the switch to digital platforms. However, this move has proven to be very beneficial for Hotstar: they have seen an increase in their user base by over 30% since they won the IPL streaming rights. They are also now able to provide advertisers with a more diverse range of options when it comes to advertising on their platform.
Hotstar is looking at making the most of its fan base by offering them more than just cricket. They want to make it easy for fans to watch what they want to catch up on the latest shows and movies.
Conclusion
Trillion-dollar opportunity lies in cricket in India, and Hotstar is a frontrunner when it comes to grabbing these opportunities.
A cricket-crazy country like India has a massive market for cricket-related content. Hotstar, who has partnered with one of the best teams in the world ( Indian Cricket Team) and IPL (Indian Premier League), is enjoying this benefit. A smart combination of live streaming, cricket highlights, post-game match commentaries, star interviews, and an online cricket merchandise shop has propelled it to be the most downloaded app from the play store in India.
FAQs
How much did Hotstar earn from IPL 2022?
Hotstar is speculated to have generated ad revenue of around $128 Million from IPL 2022.
What is the revenue of Hotstar?
The Revenue of Hotstar was recorded at $215 in December 2021.
How much Hotstar subscribers increased during IPL?
Disney+Hotstar paid subscribers crossed over 50 Million during IPL.
How much Hotstar paid for IPL broadcasting rights?
BCCI has given IPL Media rights to Hotstar for $4234 million.
For the people born in the 21st century, Disney has been the main part of our childhood, we grew up watching their cartoons and animated movies. Disney which is also known as the Walt Disney Company is an American conglomerate which is headquartered in Burbank, California. The company is a leader in the sectors of entertainment and one of the largest media companies because of its subsidiaries and acquisitions like ABC, ESPN, Pixar, 21st Century Fox, Lucas Films, Marvel, National Geographic, etc. The company is known to have over 210,000 people and generated total revenue of $65.39 Billion in 2020 alone.
The company was founded by the famed Disney brothers, Walt and Roy Disney in the year of 1923. The new CEO of the company is Bob Chapek. The company is popular for its International theme parks, an animation studio that has made iconic movies, numerous business franchises, top-notch media and entertainment under its belt. Disney’s business is divided among its different acquisitions and subsidiaries.
The four main parts are Disney’s media networks: Parks, Resorts, experiences and products; Studio and entertainment and direct to consumer and international. Walt Disney is usually given the credit of being one of the pioneers in film making.
The company is not only one of the best in the animation industry but also live-action film production and television. The company is also into publishing, consumer products, and international operations and is recently getting big in the sector of the direct-to-consumer with Over The Top/streaming services like Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, and Hotstar.
It so far has 14 theme parks, many resort hotels, cruise lines across the world among which the most popular are the Disney theme parks and amusement parks. Disney created the iconic character Mickey Mouse (the first sound cartoon) in 1928 that is recognized by everyone around the world.
The Walt Disney Company was created by Walt and Roy Disney, they first opened the Disney Brother Cartoon Studio in Hollywood, California in October 1923. After that Walt Disney started drawing cartoons for many publications and became interested in animation during this time period. They then went on to produce short films like Laugh O Gram and Alice’s wonderland. In 1928 it came out with the Steamboat Willie, which introduced the first sound cartoon Mickey Mouse, today Mickey Mouse is one of the most recognized cartoons around the world.
The next hit by them was the famous Snow White and the seven Dwarfs in 1937 which was a chart buster. In the 1950s the company made its first live action film called Treasure Island, then made the animated movies of Cinderella and the series of Mickey Mouse Club which catapulted the company into the limelight.
Walt Disney passed away in 1966 and was survived by Roy Disney who continued the supervision of the company. By that time Disney had already opened many theme parks but its first international theme park was opened in 1982.
In 1980’s the company started its own channel (Disney Channel) on Cable TV. Michael D Eisner became its chairman in 1984 and helped the company grow to new heights. Since then the company continued making show stopping movies which was acclaimed by everyone and at the same time helped the animation industry grow.
It then diversified into other sectors like the Action film production, television and theme parks. The animation studio changed its name to the Walt Disney Production in 1986 so it could focus on its different sectors which were theater, radio, music, merchandising, publishing and media.
Net income of Walt Disney
The Walt Disney Subsidiaries and Acquisitions
In the 1950’s it built many hotels, amusement/theme parks and started acquiring many media and entertainment properties in the 90s. In 2006, the company acquired Pixar which is known for making digital animated movies like Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, etc. In 2009, Disney sold Miramax Studios in order to downsize the Touchstone Pictures. The same year it also brought Marvel Entertainment which is known for making many superhero franchises like Iron Man, Spiderman, Deadpool, etc. Disney also acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 which is known for the Star Wars franchise.
The company now owns the big names in the entertainment and media industries like ABC broadcast television network, ESPN, A+E Networks, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucas films, 20th FOX, etc. The company started with a couple of animators who made short children cartoon films, today is one of the most popular companies in the world. The company is trying to make it corporate because it wants to market to a larger audience by providing mature content. The company subsidiaries and acquisitions are divided under three main business sections which are:
This division is headed by Kareem Daniel and is mainly responsible for the distribution, operations, sales, advertising and promoting the other three sectors of Disney which are its Parks and products, Walt Disney Studios, Disney’s Entertainment Sector and Sports sector.
This division was formed in October 2020. This sector also manages the Disney’s direct to consumer business which includes its various streaming platforms. The main OTT/ streaming platforms of Disney are Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ and Hotstar. This also manages other sectors of Disney international holding such as Star India and other television networks, Disney’s music group and the company’s media distribution.
Disney +
Disney plus is an OTT and subscription-based video on demand service that is owned and operated by Disney. It was made available in India through Hotstar in April 2020 and then rebranded in as Disney+Hotstar.This platform was initially made to distribute films and televisions shows that are made from its wide range of its entertainment companies under Disney which are the Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Television and subsidiaries Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic and more.
Disney plus was launched in November 2019 for US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and September 2020 for the European countries, November 2020 for Latin American countries. As of January 2021, the platform has over 94.9 million subscriptions. The cost of Disney+ in the US costs $6.99 per month and $69.99 per annum, while in India the Disney+ Hotstar VIP is Rs. 399 per year and Disney+ Hotstar Premium costs Rs. 299 per month/Rs 1,499 per year. Disney+ is now one of top ten OTT platform in the world.
Hulu
Hulu is also one of most well know OTT platform/ subscription video on demand service that is owned by both The Walt Disney Company and Comcast’s NBC Universal according to equity. In 2010, Hulu became the first OTT platform to upgrade to plus that provided extra services like earlier access to episodes and programs from different partners.
As of December 2020, Hulu had over 16.6 million subscribers. It was only in 2019 that Hulu was brought by Disney as it then acquired the 21st Century giving it the 60% majority stake. The other stake holder of Hulu is comcast which made a deal with Disney to purchase 33% stake in the company by 2024. The cost of Hulu basic in the US is $5.99 per month, with the Premium costing $11.99 per month, however Hulu is not available in India.
Hulu Subscribers 2015 to 2020
ESPN+
ESPN plus is the OTT/subscription video streaming service that is the online version of the ESPN TV channel. ESPN+ is owned by Disney in partnership with the ESPN Inc. ESPN is also one of the most known OTT platforms in the US. Like Hulu and Disney plus, ESPN plus also uses the technology of the company’s subsidiary the BAMTech.
Unlike the TV version the ESPN+ covers sports such as the Golf, Cricket, Rugby, Soccer, Combat sports like top rank boxing, hockey league, other basketball leagues that are sometimes exclusive and not aired on TV. As of November 2020, ESPN plus has over 10.3 million subscribers. The cost of ESPN+ in the US is $6 per month and $60 annual.
The Disney Parks, Experiences and Products are one of the most important parts of the company. This sector mainly includes Walt Disney’s Theme parks/amusement parks, cruise lines, resorts and other consumer products. Josh D’Amaro is the head of this division. Some of the most popular holdings are the Walt Disney World, Disneyland resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hongkong Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort, Disney Vacation Club, Disney Cruise Line and Adventures of Disney.
The company uses its own and its subsidiary’s brands and franchise such as Disney studios, Marvel, LucasFilms, Pixar, ESPN, 20th FOX and the National Geographic and incorporates in its holding in order to create magical moments for its visitors. It makes global products in 100 categories such as figures, toys, jewellery, tech, etc that bring stories and characters to life.
Disney is also known to be one of the leading providers of family’s travel and leisure experiences with the help of 6 international resort destinations, 12 theme parks and 53 resorts.
Disney is also known for making high quality games on mobile and console platforms for all ages which are based on the character’s and stories it owns. The company’s publishing sector is the world largest publisher especially for the children books and magazines. It is also a leader in licensing as it is present in 68 countries and done in 45 languages. It also has a top-rated cruise line that is popular and other unique vacation experiences like vacation clubs and adventures by Disney.
One of the main divisions of Disney’s business as it has many of its main acquisitions and subsidiaries under it. The Walt Disney Studio consists of big names in the film and entertainment industry besides Walt Disney Pictures and Walt Disney Animation Studios such as the Pixar, Marvel Studios, LucasFilms, 21th Century FOX, Blue Sky Studios and Searchlight Pictures. The studios were founded in 1923 and is one of the oldest film studios now headed by Alan Bergman.
Disney is known to have a industry record of about $13.2 billion at the global box office thanks to its subsidiaries. Six of the top ten highest grossing films worldwide are produced under Disney as they also have two of the highest grossing film franchises of all time.
Disney also has two further division which are the Disney general Entertainment Content and the ESPN and sports content. These both are integral part of the company and have companies like ABC signature and ABC news, Fox networks, National Geographic and ESPN under it.
21st Century Fox is one of the biggest and popular media and entertainment company that was acquired by Disney in March of 2019 for $71 billion. Earlier know as 20th Century Fox the News corporation was under Robert Murdoch. The 20th Century studios was one of the best American film studios for more than 80 years.
The company was initially formed in 1935 with the merging of Fox Film Corporation and 20th Century Pictures. In 1985, the company became the 20th Century Fox because it was acquired by a news corporation then spilt again 2013.
It then changed its name to 21st century Fox in January of 2020, after the Disney acquisition. The company is headquartered in the Century City area of Los Angeles, California. When Disney brought the company its also got its franchises like its TV studios, The Fox networks, National Geographic, Hulu and international networks like Star. This acquisition was important for Disney as it helped the company cater to a larger audience by providing different content.
ABC Broadcast Network
This is one the most powerful media companies in the world that was acquired by Disney in July of 1995 for $19 billion dollars. The company was formed in 1985 after Capital Cities acquired ABC for $3.5 billion. It wasn’t until 1995, that Disney acquired the company bringing together the two leaders of media and entertainment together. After Disney acquired this company it also the control of many Tv channels, Radio stations, high equity in ESPN, History channel, A&E Network, etc.
Disney acquired abc for $19 billion dollars
The company rebranded itself in 1996 as the ABC television group. It is now headquartered in Burbank California, while the headquarters of the news division is in New York City. ABC has over eight owned and operated main TV station and over 232 affiliated TV stations in the US alone.
When it comes to the ABC News sector it is also one the best news channels in the world. Few of the most famous shows of ABC news are ABC tonight with David Muir, Good Morning America, Primetime, 20/20, Sunday morning political affairs program, Nightline, etc.
Pixar Animation Studios
Everybody has watched Pixar movies like Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Wall E, Cars, Ratatouille etc. Pixar one of the most recognized and acclaimed animation studio which was acquired by Disney in January 2006 for $7.4 billion.Pixar was created by the iconic Steve Jobs (former CEO and founder of Apple) in 1986. The company was formed when apple first brought the animation film technology of LucasFilms. Because of Steve Jobs effort Pixar became one of the biggest animation film producers.
Steve jobs Bought Pixar in 1986.
The company has its headquarters in Emeryville, California. Pixar has so far made 23 feature films and many short films with its most recent movie being the Soul in 2020. Pixar has earned over $14 billion at the worldwide box office un till 2019. 15 movies of Pixar like Toy Story, Finding Dory, Incredibles 2, Toy Story 4 are among the highest grossing animated movies of all time. The company has also awarded with 20 academy awards and 9 Golden Globe Awards including 11 Grammy’s and many other awards.
Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Movies like Spiderman, Ironman, Captain America, Thor, Civil War, Infinity War, have been a part of our life growing up. Marvel is an entertainment giant and one of the most globally loved film and television studio that was acquired by Disney in 2009 for $4 billion.
The marvel studios are known for its movies that are based on superheroes of the marvel cinematic universe that characters taken from the original marvel comics. The company initially went through many ups and downs of many name changes, different ownership, bankruptcy, before becoming a household name.
Marvel’s headquarters are based in New York. The company has over 5000 characters such as Spider Man, Iron Man, X men characters, Captain America, Fantastic Four characters, and many more in the marvel cinematic universe. The marvel Studios have till now produced 23 movies based on different superheroes and its most recent one being its first television series called WandaVision in 2021. There are many marvel movies that have crossed the $1 billion box office mark. A fun fact about Marvel is, In the early 1990s, Michael Jackson tried to purchase Marvel Comics, because he wanted to produce Spiderman to play as Peter parker.
Michael Jackson tried to purchase Marvel comics
LucasFilms Ltd
LucasFilms is also one the most famous Television and Film production company that was acquired by Disney in October 2012 for $4.1 billion. Lucas Film was first created in 1971 by the filmmaker George Lucas. LucasFilms has its headquarters in San Francisco, California. The studio is known for its popular and blockbuster franchises of Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
LucasFilm Logo
The company has been credited for its development in the sectors of special effects, sound and computer animation. Disney acquired this company to cater to the need to a wider consumer base and to get an access to highest grossing franchises. Disney also has theme parks and resorts that are based on Star Wars.
FAQ
Who was the founder of Disney and When was it founded?
The company was founded by the famed Disney brothers, Walt and Roy Disney in the year of 1923.
What are the main sections of Disney’s business?
Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, The Walt Disney Parks, Experiences and Products and Walt Disney Studios are the main sections of Disney’s business.
What are the top five subsidiaries of Walt Disney?
LucasFilms Ltd, Marvel Entertainment, Pixar Animation Studios, ABC Broadcast Network and 21st Century Fox are the top five subsidiaries of Walt Disney.
What are the Three main OTT/subscription video streaming service of Disney?
Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu are the Three main OTT/subscription video streaming service of Disney.
Conclusion
Disney is one of the biggest entertainments and media conglomerates in the world. This is because the company has made strategic decisions in acquiring some of the biggest companies as its Subsidiaries. No matter which industry Disney has excelled at putting out its best work. The company is so successful because it managed to change the lives of people around the world. May it be movies or its amusement parks Disney has not failed in making peoples dreams into reality.
The franchiseIndian Premiere Leaguecricket competition, it is being held with inside the United Arab Emirates (UAE), began out on 19th September with the Chennai Super Kings defeating defending champions the Mumbai Indians. The IPL viewership worldwide numbers had been initially placed out via Board of Control for Cricket (BBCI) secretary Jay Shah, who cited figures from television monitoring employer Broadcast Audience Research Council. The purpose marketplace has become later confirmed via the IPL because the first-class with inside the competition’s history. The beginning healthy of the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) season observed a record ipl total viewership 100 million traffic in on television and digital platforms.
TheDisney-owned media corporation has sold on the rights ineffective territories in which the in shape is popular, which encompass Australia and the UK. In the UK, pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sports has a three-year cope with the competition, signed in February this year. The IPL final is due to the reality of being held on the 10th of November. 269 million ipl average viewership and web page traffic was observed during IPL 2020 with inside the primary week . Moreover, The starting week of the 13th model of the Indian Premier League (IPL) being playing withinside the United Arab Emirates (UAE) turn out to be watched via way of technique of 269 million site visitors, 11 million extra according to in form as in evaluation to the like length of very last year’s model.
According to a BARC-Nielsen report titled ‘Television Viewership and Advertising Consumption of IPL-13 2020’, the entire week of the persevering with IPL model .The establishing week of IPL 2020 witnessed an increase in ipl viewership demographics with common impressions in accordance with shape compared to the 2019 version of the cash-wealthy league, notwithstanding protecting one in shape a great deal less and less channels displaying the league than in 2019. The match, with inside the primary week, registered 60.6 billion ipl viewership 2020 at some point of seven fits and 21 channels.
IPL Title sponsorship fee per year
As in accordance to the report, the match opener among protecting champions Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings on September 19 attracted a viewership of fifty-two million impressions (that is 29 % better than in 2019) and become watched with the resource of using 158 million visitors (21 % better than in 2019). BCCI Secretary Jay Shah had on September 22 stated that the CSK-MI in shape performed on the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi become watched with the resource of using 20 crore human beings. As in accordance with BARC, a remarkable 20 crore human beings tuned in to appearance at the in shape. Highest ever establishing day ipl viewership for any carrying league in any country- shah also tweeted that no ipl ever has been as large as this
According to the report, suits 2 to 7 garnered greater than 34 million impressions and have been watched with the resource of using over one hundred million visitors in shape on in shape (the best being the only among CSK and MI, which become watched with the resource of using 158 million visitors). It moreover said that one out of 3 television site visitors watched IPL 13 live with inside the setting up week, with a cumulative achievement of 60.6 billion ipl viewership. The advertising and marketing and its quantity additionally noticed a spike all through the whole week of IPL 13. As in accordance with the data, the overall advertising and marketing and its quantity for the whole was better than the 2019 establishing week.
The increase in the ipl viewership numbers witnessed in advertising and marketing volumes throughout all of the suits, besides in shape No. 7, which noticed a decline compared to the remaining year’s 7th IPL in shape.OTT structures all through the whole week of this season witnessed growth in person base over the preceding week, often pushed with the resource of using the large profits visible in Disney+Hotstar. Smartphone usage moreover witnessed a sharp increase to some degree withinside the hollow week of IPL 2020 .Massive income have been seen withinside the purpose marketplace base for Hotstar, Sports Apps, and Fantasy Sports, stated the report.
After months of prolonged lull due to the truth of the COVID-19 pandemic, sports activities sports channels fashion has been given some cheer with IPL fits with inside the UAE as each ipl viewership and advertisers grew, the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) said on Thursday thus adding 269 million site visitors watched IPL 2020’s starting week and there was a growth in ipl viewership as closer to the 2019 model of the cricket fixtures to 60.6 billion viewing minutes.The TV company’s standard weekly viewing minutes had been given right here on September 25 for 1,037 billion minutes. over the 1,266 billion minutes in the pre-COVID-19 period but lower than the quarantine pinnacle of 1,266 billion ipl viewership.
It also can moreover additionally be stated that social distancing issues had precipitated no sporting fixtures being held at some degree withinside the lockdown, forcing broadcasters to air. The company has become eagerly looking beforehand to the IPL for the equal. The first IPL wholesome the various Mumbai Indians team and Chennai Super Kings on September 19 have become into watched by 158 million site visitors and garnered a growth in viewing minutes at 11.2 billion minutes and the equal have become sustained withinside the second wholesome as well, BARC said. The business enterprise said a third of the TV site visitors watched IPL live an 44% of the TV households watched the fits.
Growth in woman site ipl viewrship has become into higher the guys by 30%.Advertising volumes extended 15 % at some degree withinside the number one week of the cutting-edge year’s.It said massive income have been seen in purpose marketplace base for Disney Hotstar, the app broadcasting the IPL viewership fits, and moreover delusion sports activities.
One of the super giant telecom industry of India, Reliance JIO, has announced a teaser saying that it is going to release a bundle offer with Disney + Hotstar for free soon. The most important feature of this offer is- accessibility to one year subscription of Disney Plus Hotstar VIP for free. It is not the first time that JIO customers will be provided with an offer to get the yearly Disney + Hotstar subscription. Back in 2017, JIO had provided it’s users the Hotstar subscription where JIO subscribers can watch Star TV Network channels via Hotstar app for free.
teaser banner
The new offer has been listed as ” coming soon”. Though they have provided the Hotstar Premium subscription earlier , however, this will be the first time that JIO customers will get the annual Disney+ Hotstar VIP subscription for Rs. 399 a year. It will bring access to Disney+ shows, movies and Kids content alongside exclusive Hotstar Specials and live sports including cricket, Premier League and Formula1.
However, there is no clarity on whether the bundling subscription will be limited to specific plans or all plans can use them equally. The Telecom Operator has yet not informed about the launch but the teaser banner does mention that it is “coming soon”.
The Teaser banner was first reported by telecom focused “Only Tech”. But it’s sure that this will increase their user base.
Over-Taking Airtel
airtel
It is clear that JIO is going to compete with Airtel soon. JIO appears to be taking on Airtel by offering similar Disney+Hotstar VIP benefits for prepaid users. Last month, Airtel brought the Rs. prepaid recharge plan with the Disney+Hotstar VIP subscription for a year. The plan also included 3GB high speed data and a valadity of 28 days.
Disney+ Hotstar is one of India’s largest premium video streaming platform. Disney plus Hotstar was recently launched which means that users don’t have to download a secondary app for Disney+ shows. The app offers both free and premium video contents which include 50,000 hours of TV content and movies across 8 languages. It let’s you access to its vast library of movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic & kids shows such as Doraemon, Shinchan, Chacha Chaudhary and more. The Disney+ Hotstar premium subscription is priced at Rs 199 per month which brings all the exclusive and latest American television shows like ‘Game of Thrones’ and latest movies after they have been aired in America.
disney
Is Hotstar Premium and VIP Same?
NO, they are not same . The premium plan of hotstar is more expensive and gives you access to all the content on hotstar including Hollywood, and movies from across the world. It adds a special feature where you can change the language of the audio with subtitles whereas, VIP account doesn’t permit it.
The Hotstar VIP plan is way cheaper than a premium account whuch is amost one-third of a Premium plan. A Disney+ Hotstar subscription is availaible at Rs.365/ a year, whereas a Disney+ Hotstar premium plan can be purchased at Rs.999/year. The Hotstar VIP account gives you access to all sports content which include TV movies and Shows.
JioTV is a live streaming service app that offers access to more than 300 TV channels including 42 HD channels across languages and genres. On this app, a person can live-stream TV channels and watch episodes of TV shows, aired in the past 7 days. This partnership will bring Reliance Jio customers who are subscribed to JioTV services to get direct free access to Hotstar premium membership. This, in turn, allows Jio customers to access all the Star TV channels, other exclusive American TV Shows, and movies for free.
jio tv
When the Internet becomes more and more affordable, then you need lots and lots of content to consume. That’s the case of high-speed 4G users, especially the users under Reliance Jio 4G preview offer. The upcoming Indian telecom operator Reliance Jio has partnered with Star India to offer free premium membership to popular video streaming service Hotstar via JioTV. This will bring a wide catalogue of Star TV channels along with exclusive Americal TV shows and movies for Jio customers.
Open up the JioTV app and tap on any Star TV channel.
You will be then redirected to Google Play Store/ iTunes to download the latest Disney+ Hotstar app.
If you are an existing user then you are provided with an option to upgrade or reinstall the Disney+ Hotstar app.
On upgrading, you will be asked to connect with your Jio account.
Once connected, you can use either the JioTV app or Hotstar app to watch Star TV channels and other TV shows. (clicking Star TV channels on JioTV app will automatically open up in Hotstar).
You can also use the Hotstar directly to watch all other premium TV shows and movies.
According to a report, it is being said that Indian Telecom Operator is now diverging from Disney+ Hotstar and is offering free one year Amazon Prime membership worth INR999 to its JIO Fiber users.
Though the company hasn’t made an official announcement but I think finally good days are coming . Whatever it’s going to be JIO users will get some entertainment benefits from the telecom industry. JIO subscribers claimed of seeing a banner on My JIO App which states the activation one year Amazon Prime membership and that too free. Although the offer is valid for a year only and after this users have to get a paid subscription.
Nitin Konde
