Disney+ Hotstar is the go-to platform for streaming the English Premier League, the biggest domestic football league in the world. To cater to India’s diverse audience, they started broadcasting in four languages, but the question is, is it enough?
The languages offered include English and Hindi, which appeal to a broader audience, and two regional languages, Bengali and Malayalam.
Now, you might ask, why not Tamil, Gujarati, or Marathi? To answer that, let’s first understand India’s footballing demographics. Almost 70% of football fans who stream it on OTT platforms are in the age bracket of 10-25. When it comes to language proficiency, they are usually acquainted with either English or Hindi, even if these are not their mother tongues.
But why cater to audiences with Bengali or Malayalam commentary? Because Kerala and West Bengal have two of the strongest footballing cultures and largest fanbases in India. If Hotstar were to choose two regional languages, it would definitely be these two. States like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu would likely be next in line if Hotstar expands its EPL commentary offerings.
So, no, Hotstar is not discriminating. It’s just a strategic business decision and one of the most efficient ones. Besides offering a fantastic streaming experience (unlike JioCinema), Hotstar is definitely using its resources wisely.