It looks like JioHotstar can’t catch a break! The popular OTT platform has faced tons of complaints from users regarding technical issues related to picture quality, sound quality, excessive ads (including attempts to sneak in adult-oriented ones), and more. All these issues have undoubtedly spoiled the viewing experience for users. And now, people have brought up another noticeable technical problem with JioHotstar.
Many users have pointed out that the subtitles for HBO shows available on JioHotstar are out of sync. Some even mentioned experiencing the issue while watching fan-favourite shows like Succession and Game of Thrones. The issue appears to specifically affect HBO content played on Apple iOS devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV.
@hotstar_helps @hotstar_helps @JioHotstar For last 2 days subtitles of Game of Thrones are out of sync by more than 5sec! It was ok till 2 days ago, but now even previous episodes have this issue. Only iPhone and iPad. Android/web browser are ok. Please solve this immediately!
— Vinit Verma (@vinit1973) June 19, 2025
@hotstar_helps Hey @JioHotstar - we are trying to watch Succession on our Apple TV, but the subtitles aren't in sync? Please resolve this error asap. It also occurs in other hbo content like Game of thrones and the last of us.
— Raja (@UsefulCreator_) June 14, 2025
In India, a large section of OTT viewers prefers using subtitles while enjoying their favourite foreign content. This demand for subtitles is primarily driven by the country’s immense linguistic diversity, increasing access to global content, and practical viewing habits.
JioHotstar now hosts plenty of shows from popular networks such as HBO and Hulu, as well as globally renowned franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, and more. Growing access to global content naturally raises the need for subtitles for many Indian audiences.
Out-of-sync subtitles directly hinder content consumption for a large segment of Indian OTT viewers who rely on them. Given India’s linguistic diversity and the rising consumption of global content (especially from HBO on JioHotstar), functional subtitles are not a luxury but a necessity. This makes the subtitle issue particularly frustrating and noticeable, as it undermines the very accessibility that drives a significant part of JioHotstar’s appeal.
Let’s hope JioHotstar resolves this issue quickly. Stay tuned for more updates.