Jio Cinema to become HBO shows’ new hub for India, Reliance to Strike a deal with Warner Bros; Jio Cinema to charge after IPL 2023
Recently, JioCinema, an OTT platform backed by Reliance, created a stir by surpassing all viewership records for IPL 2023. The platform provided free live streaming of the widely-watched cricket tournament as well as its complete catalogue of web series and films. However, it appears that this strategy may not last long as Jio is gearing up to compete with other leading OTT players such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+Hotstar by introducing more than 100 new movies and web series to its platform.
Viacom 18, a broadcasting venture of Reliance in India, has reached an agreement with Warner Bros Discovery Inc. to feature popular Hollywood content on its streaming platform JioCinema.
According to two sources with firsthand information cited by news agency Reuters, Viacom18 has struck a deal that would make content from Warner Bros and its HBO subsidiary available on Reliance’s JioCinema app.
Although the complete particulars of the agreement are yet to be revealed, it is a significant breakthrough for viewers who will now be able to watch well-liked programs such as Succession, Game of Thrones, and the forthcoming Harry Potter Series in India once again.
According to an interview with Bloomberg, Jyoti Deshpande, who holds the position of President for media and content business at Jio, revealed that the platform has plans to broaden its range of offerings by adding more than 100 films and TV series. The objective is to compete with other companies in the industry. However, JioCinema intends to start charging for its content after May 28, 2023, once the IPL season ends. Even though the precise pricing structure has not been confirmed, this step is expected to increase the firm’s earnings and solidify its standing in the cutthroat Indian streaming market.
According to Deshpande, the new content will be accessible to viewers prior to the end of the IPL 2023 season without any additional cost. The objective of Jio is to narrow the gap between Indian and western content and act as a driving force for the exchange of talent. To make the platform accessible to all, tariffs will be kept simple for viewers, Deshpande emphasized. It’s likely that Jio will provide cost-effective plans to its users, making it affordable for everyone. As a result, it won’t strain your finances.
It is worth mentioning that a variety of HBO’s popular shows and films were unavailable in India after being taken off from Disney Hotstar on March 31.
Despite not having disclosed all the details of the agreement, it represents a major advancement for audiences in India who can now enjoy popular TV series such as Succession, Game of Thrones, and the upcoming Harry Potter series once again.
It is noteworthy that a number of HBO’s beloved shows and movies had been withdrawn from Disney Hotstar on March 31, leaving them inaccessible to viewers in India.
According to Reuters, one of the sources stated that JioCinema has entered into an extensive exclusive agreement that will establish it as the primary destination in India for Warner and HBO content.
A statement regarding the deal has not been released by either Warner Bros or Viacom18 at this point in time.
Jio’s Cricket Plans:
Jio has launched cricket plans alongside live streaming of the IPL 2023 matches. These plans offer 3GB of data per day, as well as additional data add-on packs and special vouchers. The cricket add-on packs were designed to assist users who wished to continue streaming the matches without the fear of data exhaustion. Jio has introduced three cricket add-on packs, priced at Rs 222, Rs 444, and Rs 667, to meet the viewers’ requirements.
JioCinema’s strategy to introduce content charges post IPL 2023 appears to be a calculated move aimed at diversifying beyond cricket programming and challenging established players in India’s streaming market. Despite the need for viewers to pay for content, Jio’s objective is to maintain affordable pricing to ensure widespread accessibility. JioCinema’s platform is set to see a significant expansion with the inclusion of more than 100 new films and web series, positioning it as a key contender in India’s streaming industry.