Let’s have the talk: in every merger, it is never an equal win for both parties. One party reaches new heights, while the other settles. Considering the current scenario, JioCinema might just hit the jackpot and emerge as the biggest winner. But why?
JioCinema offers entertainment at a low cost, but there’s always been a major problem—the user experience is poor. Glitches, floods of advertisements—you name it, and JioCinema probably has that issue.
Even for live sports, this remains a significant problem. The freebie model is helping the platform gain audience interaction, but the frustration among users is growing. Does this remind you of a platform that dealt with similar issues in the past?
Hotstar.
Over the years, Hotstar has mastered the craft of streaming, developed a strong content library, and created a simple yet effective user interface. Hotstar is literally the solution to all of JioCinema’s problems, and the Reliance-backed OTT has already scooped up some major content from Hotstar.
The subscription cost for Hotstar is quite moderate, but it doesn’t come close to JioCinema’s ₹29 price point. Despite the higher price, Hotstar remains the biggest OTT platform in India, which will undoubtedly help JioCinema climb the ladder. With live sports like the IPL and major football events, JioCinema already has the audience’s attention.
If JioCinema adapts the tried and tested formula established by Hotstar, it could regain credibility in no time. Meanwhile, Hotstar faces the risk of being diluted. We might just witness the end of an era.
This merger will practically end competition in the Indian OTT space. Though Netflix and Prime Video will always be around, the combined forces of JioCinema and Hotstar will be an unstoppable force. With JioCinema’s financial backing and Hotstar’s expertise in Indian entertainment, who could ever defeat them?
Welcome to Monopoly.