|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| {{short description|Indian streaming service operated by Star India}}
| | #REDIRECT [[Disney+ Hotstar]] |
| {{Use Indian English|date=July 2021}}
| |
| {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
| |
| {{Infobox website
| |
| | name = Disney+ Hotstar
| |
| | logo = Disney+ Hotstar logo.svg
| |
| | logo_alt =
| |
| | logo_caption = Logo for the Disney+ Hotstar service.
| |
| | screenshot = Disney+ Hotstar home page.png
| |
| | screenshot_alt = Screenshot of the Disney+ Hotstar homepage on 3 October 2020
| |
| | collapsible = yes
| |
| | president = Sunil Rayan
| |
| | type = [[Over-the-top media service|OTT video streaming platform]]
| |
| | language = <!-- Do not add any languages to this because content and app language availability is vary by region -->
| |
| | users = {{increase}} 46.4 million (paid; as of 3 July 2021)<ref name="NDTV Gadgets 360 2021">{{cite web | title=Disney+ Hotstar Now Has 46.4 Million Paid Subscribers | website=NDTV Gadgets 360 | date=2021-08-13 | url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/hotstar-paid-subscribers-46-4-million-116-disney-plus-q3-2021-arpu-launch-expansion-2509402 | access-date=2021-08-15}}</ref><br />300 million active users (May 2020)<ref name="user">{{Cite web |date=9 April 2020 |title=Disney+ Hotstar has about 8 million subscribers |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/08/disney-plus-hotstar-subscribers-india/ |access-date=9 April 2020 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |archive-date=9 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409073133/https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/08/disney-plus-hotstar-subscribers-india/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| |
| | launched = {{Start date|2015|02|11|df=yes}}
| |
| | key_people =
| |
| | country_of_origin = [[India]]
| |
| | area_served = India, United Kingdom, North America and parts of Southeast Asia<br />(version may differ)<br />(see [[#Launch|full list]])
| |
| | registration = Required{{efn|Optional in India, but monthly subscription is required to access additional content.}}
| |
| | current_status = Active
| |
| | parent = [[Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution]]
| |
| | owner = [[Star India|Disney Star]]
| |
| | website = {{url|http://hotstar.com}}
| |
| }}
| |
| '''Hotstar''' (also known as '''Disney+ Hotstar'''{{efn|In India and some parts of Southeast Asia}}) is an Indian brand of [[Video on demand#Subscription%20models|subscription video on-demand]] [[Over-the-top media service|over-the-top]] [[Streaming media|streaming]] service owned by [[Star India]] and operated by [[Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution]], both a division of [[The Walt Disney Company]].
| |
| | |
| The brand was first introduced as '''''Hotstar''''', for a streaming service carrying content from Star India's local networks, including films, television series, live [[Star Sports (Indian TV network)|sports]], and [[List of Hotstar original programming|original programming]], as well as featuring content licensed from third-parties such as [[HBO]] and [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] among others. Amid the significant growth of [[mobile broadband]] in India, Hotstar quickly became the dominant streaming service in the country.
| |
| | |
| Following the [[Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney|acquisition]] of Star India's parent company [[21st Century Fox]] by Disney in 2019, Hotstar was integrated with the company's new global streaming brand [[Disney+]] as '''''Disney+ Hotstar''''' in April 2020. The co-branded service added [[List of Disney+ original programming|Disney+ original programming]], and films and television series from its main content brands of [[Walt Disney Studios (division)|Walt Disney Studios]], [[Pixar]], [[Marvel Studios]], [[Lucasfilm]], and [[National Geographic Partners|National Geographic]] alongside the domestic and third-party content already carried on the platform.
| |
| | |
| Outside of India, the Disney+ Hotstar service also operates in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, which similarly combines entertainment content licensed from local, third-party studios, with the larger Disney+ library. Disney+ Hotstar is also expected to launch in the Philippines in 2021. In Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Hotstar operates as a streaming service targeting [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|overseas Indians]], focusing on Star India's domestic entertainment and sports content (Disney+ operates as a standalone service in these markets).
| |
| | |
| == History ==
| |
| [[File:Hotstar logo.svg|left|thumb|200px|First Hotstar logo from 2015 until 2020.]]
| |
| Star India officially launched Hotstar on 11 February 2015 after fifteen months of development, coinciding with the [[2015 Cricket World Cup]] and upcoming [[2015 Indian Premier League]] (for which Star had acquired the streaming rights). The ad-supported service initially featured a library of over 35,000 hours of content in seven regional languages, as well as live streaming coverage of sports such as [[association football|football]] and [[kabaddi]], and [[cricket]] on a [[Broadcast delay|delay]]. Star CEO Sanjay Gupta felt that there "[weren't] many platforms available to Indian consumers offering high-quality, curated content besides, say, [[YouTube]]", and explained that the service would appeal most prominently to the growing young adult demographic, and feature "very targeted" advertising. He estimated that by 2020, the service could account for nearly a quarter of Star's annual revenue.<ref name="Hotstar launch">{{Cite web |last=Dina |first=Arzoo |date=11 February 2015 |title=With Hotstar, Star India aims to change the way content is consumed in India |url=https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/Nfv7GOoewo9xdcGKVnOVnL/With-Hotstar-Star-India-aims-to-change-the-way-content-is-c.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529211151/https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/Nfv7GOoewo9xdcGKVnOVnL/With-Hotstar-Star-India-aims-to-change-the-way-content-is-c.html |archive-date=29 May 2019 |access-date=29 May 2019 |website=Livemint}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Star India's Novi Digital Entertainment bags IPL media rights for whopping Rs 302 crore |url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/star-indias-novi-digital-entertainment-bags-ipl-media-rights-for-whopping-rs-302-crore-2091287.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326072827/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/star-indias-novi-digital-entertainment-bags-ipl-media-rights-for-whopping-rs-302-crore-2091287.html |archive-date=26 March 2018 |access-date=5 April 2018 |website=Firstpost}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| In April 2016, Hotstar launched a subscription tier primarily oriented towards international content and the possibility of premium sports content. The service launched alongside a new deal to carry [[HBO]] content uncut on the platform, with its introduction coinciding with the [[Game of Thrones (season 6)|season 6]] [[The Red Woman|premiere]] of ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hotstar launches monthly subscriptions to offer US TV shows & movies |url=http://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/hotstar-subscriptions-us-tv-shows-movies/51973979 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529211203/https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/hotstar-subscriptions-us-tv-shows-movies/51973979 |archive-date=29 May 2019 |access-date=29 May 2019 |website=ETTech}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| The 2016 launch of the [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]]-only wireless carrier [[Jio]] spurred the growth of [[mobile broadband]] in India, and was credited in turn for having bolstered the growth of streaming video in the country. While services of US origin such as [[Amazon Prime Video]] and [[Netflix]] saw some growth in the Indian market, Hotstar has remained the dominant streaming service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Manish |date=6 July 2018 |title=Netflix and Amazon are struggling to win over the world's second-largest internet market |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/05/netflix-and-amazon-are-struggling-to-win-over-indian-viewers.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529211153/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/05/netflix-and-amazon-are-struggling-to-win-over-indian-viewers.html |archive-date=29 May 2019 |access-date=29 May 2019 |website=CNBC}}</ref> By July 2017, Hotstar's apps had reached 300 million downloads, and it was reported as being the top video streaming app in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Choudhary |first=Vidhi |date=16 July 2017 |title=Hotstar retains No. 1 spot among video streaming apps in January–June, shows data |url=https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/gLpO7WF2jxF5DE1nGyZJnM/Hotstar-retains-No-1-spot-amongvideo-streaming-apps-in-Jan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529211153/https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/gLpO7WF2jxF5DE1nGyZJnM/Hotstar-retains-No-1-spot-amongvideo-streaming-apps-in-Jan.html |archive-date=29 May 2019 |access-date=29 May 2019 |website=Livemint.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Laghate |first=Gaurav |date=29 December 2017 |title=Fall in data prices, new users reason for rise in video consumption |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/fall-in-data-prices-new-users-reason-for-rise-in-video-consumption/articleshow/62289634.cms?from=mdr |access-date=29 May 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806054814/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/fall-in-data-prices-new-users-reason-for-rise-in-video-consumption/articleshow/62289634.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref>
| |
| | |
| In May 2018, it was reported that the service had 75{{ndash}}100 million active users per-month.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |author-link=Naman Ramachandran |date=4 May 2018 |title=Fox Streaming Service Hotstar Breaks Out in Burgeoning India Market |url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/global/fox-hotstar-india-1202795869/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608221845/https://variety.com/2018/biz/global/fox-hotstar-india-1202795869/ |archive-date=8 June 2019 |access-date=29 May 2019 |website=Variety}}</ref> In September 2018, Hotstar CEO Ajit Mohan left to become the vice-president and managing director of Facebook India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who is Ajit Mohan, the new Facebook India head- Business News |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/who-is-ajit-mohan-the-new-vp-and-md-of-facebook-india/story/282812.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411111710/https://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/who-is-ajit-mohan-the-new-vp-and-md-of-facebook-india/story/282812.html |archive-date=11 April 2019 |access-date=11 April 2019}}</ref> That month, it was reported that the service had begun to restructure its leadership to have separate executives for its ad-supported and premium services, and, aided by new funding from Star US Holdings, planned to increase its production of premium original content to better-compete with Amazon and Netflix, amidst concerns that the service was beginning to haemorrhage cash.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Star India rejigs Hotstar service to drive growth |url=https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/star-india-rejigs-hotstar-service-to-drive-growth/65686673 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513172641/https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/star-india-rejigs-hotstar-service-to-drive-growth/65686673 |archive-date=13 May 2019 |access-date=13 May 2019 |website=Economic Times}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| By 2019, the service had over 150 million active users monthly. In March 2019, ahead of the [[2019 Indian Premier League]], Hotstar migrated existing subscribers of its All Annual Sports plan to a new entry-level plan known as Hotstar VIP. Intended as an introductory option, it includes access to sports content (including the IPL, [[2019 Cricket World Cup]], and [[English Premier League]] football), early access to serials before their television broadcast, and original series from the new ''Hotstar Specials'' banner. It is also payable via cash. Chief product officer Varun Narang described the offering as "a value proposition built with the Indian audience at the heart of it".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Star India launches Hotstar VIP OTT featuring premium sport |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/star-india-hotstar-vip-ott-sport |access-date=13 May 2019 |website=SportsPro Media |archive-date=6 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806054834/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/star-india-hotstar-vip-ott-sport |url-status=live }}</ref>
| |
| | |
| === Acquisition by Disney, integration with Disney+ ===
| |
| Star, and in turn Hotstar, were acquired by [[The Walt Disney Company]] in 2019, as part of its [[Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney|acquisition of their US parent company]] [[21st Century Fox]].<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />
| |
| | |
| During a February 2020 earnings call, Iger announced that its recently launched international streaming brand [[Disney+]] and its original programming would be integrated into Hotstar as part of a re-launch on 29 March 2020. Iger stated that the service's launch,—originally scheduled to coincide with the opening of the [[2020 Indian Premier League]], would take advantage of Hotstar's "proven platform" and existing customer base. ''[[The Motley Fool]]'' described Hotstar as being Disney's "secret weapon" in the market, due to its already-dominant position.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=5 February 2020 |title=Disney Plus To Launch on India's Hotstar |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/asia/disney-plus-to-launch-india-hotstar-1203493375/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205131254/https://variety.com/2020/digital/asia/disney-plus-to-launch-india-hotstar-1203493375/ |archive-date=5 February 2020}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Disney+ to launch in India through Hotstar on March 29 |url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2020/02/04/disney-to-launch-in-india-through-hotstar-on-march-29/ |access-date=25 February 2020 |website=TechCrunch |archive-date=6 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806054836/https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/04/disney-to-launch-in-india-through-hotstar-on-march-29/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Vena |first=Danny |date=10 February 2020 |title=Disney+ Has a Secret Weapon in India |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/02/10/disney-has-a-secret-weapon-in-india.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416201331/https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/02/10/disney-has-a-secret-weapon-in-india.aspx |archive-date=16 April 2020 |access-date=9 March 2020 |website=The Motley Fool}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| Hotstar began to [[soft launch]] the expanded service for some users in March. On 20 March 2020, in recognition of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 pandemic]] and associated postponement of the IPL season, Disney announced that it had postponed the launch to 3 April.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jha |first=Lata |date=20 March 2020 |title=Disney+ Hotstar launch deferred in India |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/disney-hotstar-launch-deferred-in-india-11584697919138.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321160013/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/disney-hotstar-launch-deferred-in-india-11584697919138.html |archive-date=21 March 2020 |access-date=21 March 2020 |website=Livemint}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney+ India launch postponed |url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2020/03/20/disney-india-hotstar-launch-postponed/ |access-date=21 March 2020 |website=TechCrunch |archive-date=6 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806054757/https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/20/disney-india-hotstar-launch-postponed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The service officially launched with a "virtual red carpet premiere" of ''[[The Lion King (2019 film)|The Lion King]]'' and Disney+ series ''[[The Mandalorian]]'', featuring actors [[Rana Daggubati]], [[Katrina Kaif]], [[Shraddha Kapoor]], [[Hrithik Roshan]], and [[Tiger Shroff]] participating in live interactions.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Bhushan |first=Nyay |date=3 April 2020 |title=Disney+ Launched in India with "Virtual Red Carpet Premiere" Amid Coronavirus Lockdown |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-launched-india-virtual-red-carpet-premiere-1288156 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404003812/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-launched-india-virtual-red-carpet-premiere-1288156 |archive-date=4 April 2020 |access-date=3 April 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> The price of the Hotstar Premium service was also increased with the launch.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2 April 2020 |title=Disney+ Hotstar Subscription Costs More Than Hotstar Premium: Here's Why |url=https://www.news18.com/news/tech/disney-hotstar-subscription-costs-more-than-hotstar-premium-heres-why-2561355.html |access-date=11 March 2021 |website=News18 |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227212911/https://www.news18.com/news/tech/disney-hotstar-subscription-costs-more-than-hotstar-premium-heres-why-2561355.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| |
| | |
| On 2 May, Star announced that it would distribute the service for free to [[Migrant workers in India|migrant workers]] in Singapore through 21 July, to improve morale amid [[Indian migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic|their impact from COVID-19]].<ref name="NewsAsia 2020">{{Cite web |date=4 May 2020 |title=Walt Disney Company bringing streaming service to migrant workers in Singapore |url=https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/trending/disney-free-streaming-service-hotstar-migrant-workers-singapore-12699664 |url-status=live |access-date=19 October 2020 |website=Channel NewsAsia |publisher=[[MediaCorp]] |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021070227/https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/trending/disney-free-streaming-service-hotstar-migrant-workers-singapore-12699664 }}</ref> In June 2020, Hotstar named Sunil Rayan, formerly of [[Google]], as its new president.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |author-link=Naman Ramachandran |date=20 June 2020 |title=India's Disney Plus Hotstar Taps Google's Sunil Rayan as President |url=https://variety.com/2020/streaming/asia/disney-plus-hotstar-sunil-rayan-1234643415/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622005218/https://variety.com/2020/streaming/asia/disney-plus-hotstar-sunil-rayan-1234643415/ |archive-date=22 June 2020 |access-date=23 June 2020 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| == Content ==
| |
| {{Main|List of Hotstar original programming|List of Hotstar original films|List of Disney+ original programming|List of Disney+ original films}}
| |
| | |
| === India ===
| |
| [[File:Hotstar plans (India).png|thumb|Hotstar subscription plans in India]]
| |
| The Disney+ Hotstar VIP subscription is oriented towards domestic content, including series from Star's Indian-language television networks and the ''Hotstar Specials'' banner, early access to Star's Indian television serial programs before their television premiere, cricket coverage, [[Premier League]] football from the United Kingdom,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> and access to content from the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]].<ref name=":1" /> The Disney+ Hotstar Premium tier adds access to international films and series, including [[List of Disney+ original programming|Disney+ original programming]] and the core Disney+ libraries of [[Walt Disney Studios (division)|The Walt Disney Studios]] and [[Walt Disney Television]], [[Marvel Studios]], [[Lucasfilm]] (including the ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise), and [[National Geographic]],<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5" /> with select titles for general entertainment from Disney subsidiaries including [[FX (TV channel)|FX]], [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]], [[Hulu]], [[ABC Signature]], [[20th Television]], [[20th Century Studios]], [[Searchlight Pictures]], [[Touchstone Pictures]], and [[Hollywood Pictures]], in addition to licensed content from third-party providers.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |title=Hotstar Rs 365 VIP subscription: What is it, what does it offer and everything you need to know |work=India Today |agency=Ist |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/hotstar-vip-subscription-what-is-it-what-does-it-offer-and-everything-you-need-to-know-1484053-2019-03-22 |url-status=live |access-date=13 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513172645/https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/hotstar-vip-subscription-what-is-it-what-does-it-offer-and-everything-you-need-to-know-1484053-2019-03-22 |archive-date=13 May 2019}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Should You Subscribe to Hotstar VIP or Hotstar Premium Ahead of IPL 2019? |url=https://www.news18.com/news/tech/should-you-subscribe-to-hotstar-vip-or-hotstar-premium-ahead-of-ipl-2019-2074341.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328154814/https://www.news18.com/news/tech/should-you-subscribe-to-hotstar-vip-or-hotstar-premium-ahead-of-ipl-2019-2074341.html |archive-date=28 March 2019 |access-date=13 May 2019 |website=News18}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Laghate |first=Gaurav |date=20 March 2019 |title=Hotstar launches new subscription pack ahead of IPL |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/hotstar-launches-new-subscription-pack-ahead-of-ipl/articleshow/68490906.cms |url-status=live |access-date=13 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521180641/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/hotstar-launches-new-subscription-pack-ahead-of-ipl/articleshow/68490906.cms |archive-date=21 May 2019}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| Some early original content on the service included the [[news comedy]] program ''[[On Air With AIB]]'', and ''CinePlay''. In March 2019, the service launched a new premium original content brand, ''Hotstar Specials'', with the first production being ''[[Roar of the Lion (web series)|Roar of the Lion]]''—a docudrama miniseries chronicling the [[Chennai Super Kings]] in the [[2018 Indian Premier League]]. Hotstar stated that these series would be at least six episodes in length, be available in seven regional languages ([[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Hindi]], [[Kannada]], [[Malayalam]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], and [[Telugu language|Telugu]])<ref>{{Cite news |last=Laghate |first=Gaurav |date=15 January 2019 |title=Hotstar to invest Rs 120 crore in generating original content |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/hotstar-to-invest-rs-120-crore-in-generating-original-content/articleshow/67534513.cms |url-status=live |access-date=13 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115154935/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/hotstar-to-invest-rs-120-crore-in-generating-original-content/articleshow/67534513.cms |archive-date=15 January 2019}}</ref> and focus on providing "big-scale, high-quality drama". Hotstar partnered with a large number of Indian filmmakers to produce series for the brand.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2019 |title=MS Dhoni bared his soul in Roar of the Lion: Kabir Khan |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/kabir-khan-ms-dhoni-roar-of-the-lion-hotstar-56222724/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090124/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/kabir-khan-ms-dhoni-roar-of-the-lion-hotstar-56222724/ |archive-date=27 March 2019 |access-date=12 March 2019 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 March 2019 |title=MS Dhoni to feature in Hotstar's docu-drama Roar of the Lion |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/ms-dhoni-to-feature-in-hotstar-docu-drama-roar-of-the-lion-5612155/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327101130/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/ms-dhoni-to-feature-in-hotstar-docu-drama-roar-of-the-lion-5612155/ |archive-date=27 March 2019 |access-date=12 March 2019 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=14 January 2019 |title=Hotstar, Fox's Indian Streaming Service, Moves Into Original Content With Big-Name Talent |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/hotstar-fox-india-streaming-original-content-hotstar-specials-1203107004/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203073634/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/hotstar-fox-india-streaming-original-content-hotstar-specials-1203107004/ |archive-date=3 February 2019 |access-date=13 May 2019 |website=Variety}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| In December 2015, Hotstar gained domestic streaming rights to current and past HBO original series, as part of Star's larger deal with the network.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fox's Star India Strikes Exclusive Deal for HBO Originals |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foxs-star-india-hbo-content-845061 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407175501/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foxs-star-india-hbo-content-845061 |archive-date=7 April 2019 |access-date=13 May 2019 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> It reached a similar deal with [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] in July 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Choudhary |first=Vidhi |date=12 July 2017 |title=Hotstar to stream shows from CBS's Showtime |url=https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/cdfOg6N4ObxwTs1mWSGdKK/Hotstar-to-stream-shows-from-CBSs-Showtime.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529211151/https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/cdfOg6N4ObxwTs1mWSGdKK/Hotstar-to-stream-shows-from-CBSs-Showtime.html |archive-date=29 May 2019 |access-date=29 May 2019 |website=Livemint.com}}</ref> Rights to new Showtime content later moved to [[Viacom18]]'s [[Voot]] (a sister of Showtime via parent company [[ViacomCBS]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Viacom18 launches subscription-based video streaming service 'Voot Select' – ET BrandEquity |url=https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/media/viacom18-launches-subscription-based-video-streaming-service-voot-select/74460526 |url-status=live |access-date=11 March 2021 |website=ETBrandEquity.com |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122233339/https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/media/viacom18-launches-subscription-based-video-streaming-service-voot-select/74460526 }}</ref>
| |
| | |
| In October 2018, Hotstar partnered with [[HOOQ|Hooq]] to offer its content on its premium service, including rights to films and series from its co-owners [[Sony Pictures]] and [[Warner Bros.]], as well as its other content partners.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=8 October 2018 |title=HOOQ Massively Expands India Reach With Hotstar Partnership (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/asia/hooq-expands-india-reach-hotstar-partnership-1202971812/ |access-date=10 July 2020 |website=Variety |archive-date=9 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409084712/https://variety.com/2018/biz/asia/hooq-expands-india-reach-hotstar-partnership-1202971812/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The partnership ended following Hooq's liquidation in April 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2020 |title=Indian Arrowverse Fans Left in the Dark as Hooq Shuts Down |url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/the-flash-supergirl-legends-of-tomorrow-hooq-shut-down-hotstar-gone-india-watch-online-2220871 |url-status=live |access-date=30 April 2020 |website=[[NDTV]] |archive-date=30 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430074816/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/the-flash-supergirl-legends-of-tomorrow-hooq-shut-down-hotstar-gone-india-watch-online-2220871 }}</ref>
| |
| | |
| In June 2020, Hotstar announced that it would begin to offer [[Direct-to-video|direct-to-streaming]] premieres of Indian films under the "Disney+ Hotstar Multiplex" banner due to COVID-19-related cinema closures, beginning with [[Fox Star Studios]]' ''[[Dil Bechara]]'' on 24 July 2020, followed by ''[[The Big Bull]]'', ''[[Lootcase]]'', ''[[Khuda Haafiz]]'', ''[[Laxmii]]'', ''[[Bhuj: The Pride of India]]'', ''[[Sadak 2]]'', and ''[[Mookuthi Amman]].''<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.ETBrandEquity.com |title=Disney+ Hotstar launches Multiplex, to directly release Bollywood films – ET BrandEquity |url=https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/media/disney-hotstar-launches-multiplex-to-directly-release-bollywood-films/76692553 |access-date=11 July 2020 |website=ETBrandEquity.com |archive-date=3 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703042009/https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/media/disney-hotstar-launches-multiplex-to-directly-release-bollywood-films/76692553 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| |
| | |
| === Southeast Asia (excluding Singapore) ===
| |
| In addition to content from Disney's library, the [[Southeast Asian]] versions of Disney+ Hotstar also had a large focus on domestic acquisitions. In Indonesia, Hotstar reached content supply agreements with studios such as [[:id:Falcon Pictures|Falcon Pictures]], [[:id:MD Pictures|MD Pictures]], [[Rapi Films]], [[:id:Soraya Intercine Films|Soraya Intercine Films]], [[:id:Screenplay Films|Screenplay Films]], and [[:id:Kharisma Starvision Plus|Starvision Plus]] among others, and also acquired first-run direct-to-streaming releases (which are being marketed as ''Hotstar Originals''). To appeal to the local [[Hinduism in Indonesia|Hindu population]], the service also carries [[Bollywood]] films subtitled and/or [[Dubbing (filmmaking)|dubbed]] into the [[Indonesian language]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=7 May 2021|title=Disney to Tailor Streaming Content for Competitive Asian Markets After Shuttering Linear Channels|url=https://variety.com/2021/biz/asia/disney-plus-asia-korea-viu-telkomsel-1234968712/|access-date=1 June 2021|website=Variety|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215955/https://variety.com/2021/biz/asia/disney-plus-asia-korea-viu-telkomsel-1234968712/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=10 August 2020|title=Local Content Gets Priority as Disney Plus Hotstar Confirms Indonesia Launch|url=https://variety.com/2020/streaming/asia/disney-plus-hotstar-indonesia-2-1234730335/|access-date=1 June 2021|website=Variety|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603074706/https://variety.com/2020/streaming/asia/disney-plus-hotstar-indonesia-2-1234730335/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| The Malaysian version of the service has similarly reached deals with studios such as Primeworks Studios, [[Les' Copaque Production]] and [[Animonsta Studios]] to carry films on the platform, with some being released direct-to-streaming.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=3 May 2021 |title=Disney Plus Hotstar to Launch in Malaysia With Local Content Component |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2021/streaming/asia/disney-plus-hotstar-malaysia-launch-1234965831 |access-date=4 May 2021 |archive-date=4 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504044452/https://variety.com/2021/streaming/asia/disney-plus-hotstar-malaysia-launch-1234965831/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| |
| | |
| The Thai version reached agreements with studios and broadcasters such as [[GDH 559|GDH]], [[GMM 25]], [[Kantana Group]], [[One 31]], and [[Sahamongkol Film International|Sahamongkolfilm]], and has licensed content from other [[East Asian]] regions such as Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.<ref name="AIS">{{Cite news |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=8 June 2021 |title=Disney Plus Hotstar Thailand Launch Plans Confirmed |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2021/global/asia/disney-plus-hotstar-thailand-launch-plans-1234991060 |accessdate=8 June 2021 |archive-date=8 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608091448/https://variety.com/2021/global/asia/disney-plus-hotstar-thailand-launch-plans-1234991060/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Laorattanakul |first=Supakarn |date=28 June 2021 |title=5 สิ่งที่ควรรู้ก่อนออกโลดแล่นสู่ดินแดน Disney+ Hotstar 30 มิ.ย. นี้ |language=th |trans-title=5 Things You Should Know Before You Imagine More with Disney+ Hotstar This 30 June |work=Beartai |url=https://www.beartai.com/lifestyle/movies/684420 |accessdate=29 June 2021 |archive-date=29 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629082535/https://www.beartai.com/lifestyle/movies/684420 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| |
| | |
| == Device support and service features ==
| |
| Hotstar is available for streaming via supported web browsers on PC, Mac, and smartphones, as well as apps on [[iOS]] and [[Apple TV]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[Android TV]], with regional support for devices such as [[Roku]] in Canada, United States and United Kingdom, [[Amazon Fire TV|Fire TV]] and [[Samsung Smart TV]]s in India, Canada, United States and United Kingdom, and [[LG Smart TV|LG webOS TVs]] in India, Canada, United States, and Malaysia.
| |
| | |
| Hotstar allows users to stream on two devices concurrently and downloads for offline viewing depending on individual content licenses. Most content is able to be streamed in resolutions up to [[1080p]]. In April 2020, Hotstar started rolling out [[Dolby Digital 5.1]] sound on Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV, <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/disney-plus-hotstar-surround-sound-dolby-5-1-digital-audio-tv-android-apple-fire-mandalorian-2205746|title=Disney+ Hotstar Rolls Out 5.1 Surround Sound, Starting With The Mandalorian|last=Arora|first=Akhil|work=Gadgets 360|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=3 April 2020|accessdate=28 July 2021|archive-date=28 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728184725/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/disney-plus-hotstar-surround-sound-dolby-5-1-digital-audio-tv-android-apple-fire-mandalorian-2205746|url-status=live}}</ref> and later [[4K resolution|4K]] [[Ultra-high-definition television|Ultra HD]] in [[Dolby Vision]] and [[HDR10]] in August 2020 only on Apple TV and Android TV, noting that Dolby Vision and HDR10 will be available for mobile devices later, which were made available for iOS since May 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/hotstar-4k-hdr-disney-plus-uhd-android-apple-tv-dolby-vision-2274650|title=Disney+ Hotstar Rolls Out 4K HDR Support on Android TV, Apple TV|work=Gadgets 360|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=5 August 2020|accessdate=28 July 2021|archive-date=28 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728184742/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/hotstar-4k-hdr-disney-plus-uhd-android-apple-tv-dolby-vision-2274650|url-status=live}}</ref> In India, the service is operated as both a free ad-supported service, and two subscription-based tiers. The ad-supported service includes access to selected Indian films and Star series after their television broadcast.
| |
| | |
| Starting 1 September 2021, Indian users will be able to choose from a range of three new subscription plans, namely – '''Mobile''' for INR 499/- per year (a single device, mobile-only plan), '''Super''' for INR 899/- per year (access to 2 devices across mobile, web and living room devices) and '''Premium''' for INR 1499/- per year (access to 4 devices across mobile, web and living room devices).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/hotstar-disney-plus-india-plans-new-mobile-super-premium-499-899-1499-year-annual-2495963|title=Disney+ Hotstar Unveils New Rs. 499 Mobile, Rs. 899 Super, and Rs. 1,499 Premium Plans|last=Arora|first=Akhil|work=Gadgets 360|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=27 July 2021|accessdate=28 July 2021|archive-date=28 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728001322/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/hotstar-disney-plus-india-plans-new-mobile-super-premium-499-899-1499-year-annual-2495963|url-status=live}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| == Launch ==
| |
| On 4 September 2017, [[Star Sports (Indian TV network)|Star Sports]] acquired the entirety of the media rights to the [[Indian Premier League]], with Hotstar acting as the international digital rightsholder. The service served worldwide until Hotstar launched an international subscription service in Canada and the United States, aimed towards providing its domestic Indian content and sports.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 September 2017 |title=Star India bags IPL media rights for next 5 years |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/watch-star-india-bags-ipl-media-rights-for-next-5-years/videoshow/60360432.cmsS |access-date=9 July 2018}}</ref><ref name="US Canada launch">{{Cite news|title=Hotstar Launches Its Premium Service in US and Canada|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/hotstar-us-canada-premium-launch-price-1745759|url-status=live|work=Gadgets 360|publisher=[[NDTV]]|access-date=13 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709094409/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/hotstar-us-canada-premium-launch-price-1745759|archive-date=9 July 2018}}</ref> Hotstar launched in the United Kingdom on 13 September 2018, to coincide with the [[2018 Asia Cup]].<ref name="UK launch">{{Cite news |title=Star India's Hotstar launches in United Kingdom|url=https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/star-indias-hotstar-launches-in-united-kingdom/65778058|url-status=live|work=[[The Economics Times]]|access-date=13 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513172639/https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/star-indias-hotstar-launches-in-united-kingdom/65778058 |archive-date=13 May 2019}}</ref> On 4 January 2019, Star discontinued their international linear pay television channels in the US. (such as [[StarPlus]]), pivoting its focus in the region to Hotstar.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Baddhan|first=Raj|date=7 December 2018|title=Star TV to shutdown television operations in USA|work=BizAsia|url=https://www.bizasialive.com/star-tv-ceases-television-operations-in-usa|url-status=live|access-date=11 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413032946/https://www.bizasialive.com/star-tv-ceases-television-operations-in-usa|archive-date=13 April 2019}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| In August 2019, Disney CEO [[Bob Iger]] stated that plans were in place for expansion of Hotstar into [[Southeast Asia]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Disney Plans Southeast Asia Expansion for Hotstar|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/hotstar-southeast-asia-expansion-disney-bob-iger-star-india-2081496|url-status=live|work=Gadgets 360|publisher=[[NDTV]]|access-date=7 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807112424/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/hotstar-southeast-asia-expansion-disney-bob-iger-star-india-2081496 |archive-date=7 August 2019}}</ref> In August 2020, it was announced that Disney+ Hotstar would launch in Indonesia on 5 September 2020, marking the unified service's first expansion outside of India.<ref name="Indonesia launch">{{Cite news|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=5 August 2020|title=Disney Plus Hotstar to Launch in Indonesia in September|url=https://variety.com/2020/streaming/asia/disney-plus-hotstar-indonesia-1234725872|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=5 August 2020|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805074351/https://variety.com/2020/streaming/asia/disney-plus-hotstar-indonesia-1234725872/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 October 2020, Star India announced the launch of Hotstar in Singapore, which took place on 1 November 2020.<ref name="Singapore launch">{{Cite web|last=Ramachandran|first=Naman|date=19 October 2020|title=Disney Streaming Platform Hotstar Set For Singapore Launch on StarHub|url=https://variety.com/2020/streaming/news/disney-hotstar-singapore-launch-1234809227|access-date=19 June 2021|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-date=28 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628055150/https://variety.com/2020/streaming/news/disney-hotstar-singapore-launch-1234809227/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 February 2021, it was reported that Disney+ Hotstar would launch in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand in 2021.<ref name="SEA report">{{Cite web|date=25 February 2021|title=Disney+Hotstar expected to end 2021 with 50 million subscribers|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/over-the-top-services/disneyhotstar-expected-to-end-2021-with-over-50-million-subscribers-210224|website=indiantelevision.com|accessdate=25 February 2021|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225185824/https://www.indiantelevision.com/iworld/over-the-top-services/disneyhotstar-expected-to-end-2021-with-over-50-million-subscribers-210224|url-status=live}}</ref> The service launched in Malaysia on 1 June 2021,<ref name="Malaysia launch">{{Cite news|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=3 May 2021|title=Disney Plus Hotstar to Launch in Malaysia With Local Content Component|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://variety.com/2021/streaming/asia/disney-plus-hotstar-malaysia-launch-1234965831|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504044452/https://variety.com/2021/streaming/asia/disney-plus-hotstar-malaysia-launch-1234965831/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Thailand on 30 June.<ref name="Thailand launch">{{Cite news|last=Datta|first=Lisa Richwine, Tiyashi|date=13 May 2021|title=Disney's streaming growth slows as pandemic lift fades, shares fall|work=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-walt-disney-results-idUSKBN2CU27N|access-date=14 May 2021|archive-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514040445/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-walt-disney-results-idUSKBN2CU27N|url-status=live}}</ref>
| | {{Redirect category shell| |
| | | {{R from move}} |
| On 27 July 2021, it was reported that Hotstar original content would likely be licensed to streaming services [[Hulu]] in [[United States]], [[Star (Disney+)|Star]] in [[Canada]], [[Europe]], [[Africa]], [[Middle East]] and parts of [[Asia Pacific]], and [[Star+]] in [[Latin America]] in the future.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2021/streaming/news/disney-plus-hotstar-india-growth-1235028195|title=Disney Plus Hotstar Reveals Ambitious India Growth Plans (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Ramachandran|first=Naman|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=27 July 2021|accessdate=30 July 2021|archive-date=28 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728052729/https://variety.com/2021/streaming/news/disney-plus-hotstar-india-growth-1235028195/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| {{image frame|align=right|content= | |
| {{Highlighted world map by country
| |
| |IN=blue |CA=#8ABA4A |US=#8ABA4A |GB=#8ABA4A |ID=blue |SG=#8ABA4A |MY=blue |PH=red |TH=blue |IE=yellow |FR=yellow |DE=yellow |NL=yellow |IT=yellow |LU=yellow |CH=yellow |BE=yellow |AT=yellow |ES=yellow |PT=yellow |DK=yellow |NO=yellow |SE=yellow |FI=yellow |AU=yellow |NZ=yellow |AR=yellow |BO=yellow |BR=yellow |CL=yellow |CO=yellow |CR=yellow |DO=yellow |EC=yellow |SV=yellow |GT=yellow |HN=yellow |MX=yellow |NI=yellow |PA=yellow |PY=yellow |PE=yellow |UY=yellow |VE=yellow |HG=yellow |RS=yellow |JP=yellow |KR=yellow
| |
| |TW=yellow |IS=yellow
| |
| |ZA=yellow |IL=yellow
| |
| |CZ=yellow |AD=yellow
| |
| |BG=yellow |HU=yellow
| |
| |PL=yellow |RO=yellow
| |
| |TR=yellow |LI=yellow
| |
| |GR=yellow
| |
| |scale=65}}
| |
| |caption={{legend|blue|Available as Disney+ Hotstar}}{{legend|#8ABA4A|Available as Hotstar}}{{legend|red|Confirmed launch}}{{legend|yellow|Third-party distribution}}
| |
| }} | | }} |
|
| |
| {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
| |
| |+ Launch as Disney+ Hotstar
| |
| ! scope="col" | Release Date
| |
| ! scope="col" | Country/Territory
| |
| ! scope="col" | Release Partner
| |
| |-
| |
| ! scope="row" | {{ubl|11 February 2015{{efn|as Hotstar}}<ref name="Hotstar launch" />|3 April 2020{{efn|Rebranded as Disney+ Hotstar}}}}
| |
| | {{IND}}
| |
| | None
| |
| |-
| |
| ! scope="row" | 5 September 2020<ref name="Indonesia launch" />
| |
| | {{IDN}}
| |
| | [[Telkomsel]]
| |
| |-
| |
| ! scope="row" | 1 June 2021<ref name="Malaysia launch" />
| |
| | {{MYS}}
| |
| | [[Astro (television)|Astro]]
| |
| |-
| |
| ! scope="row" | 30 June 2021<ref name="Thailand launch" />
| |
| | {{THA}}
| |
| | [[Advanced Info Service|AIS]]<ref name="AIS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| ! scope="row" | 2021<ref name="SEA report" />
| |
| | {{PHL}}<ref>{{Cite web|title= Tweet Number 1410170121901920258|url=https://twitter.com/alifdansofia/status/1410170121901920258|access-date=2021-08-23|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref>
| |
| |
| |
| |-
| |
| ! scope="row" | TBA
| |
| | {{VIE}}<ref>https://twitter.com/AlifdanSofia/status/1410170121901920258</ref>
| |
| |
| |
| |}
| |
|
| |
| {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
| |
| |+ Launch as Hotstar
| |
| ! scope="col" | Release Date
| |
| ! scope="col" | Country/Territory
| |
| ! scope="col" | Release Partner
| |
| |-
| |
| ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | 4 September 2017<ref name="US Canada launch" />
| |
| | {{CAN}}
| |
| | rowspan="3" |None
| |
| |-
| |
| | {{USA}}
| |
| |-
| |
| ! scope="row" | 13 September 2018<ref name="UK launch" />
| |
| | {{GBR}}
| |
| |-
| |
| ! scope="row" | 1 November 2020<ref name="Singapore launch" />
| |
| | {{SIN}}
| |
| | [[StarHub]]
| |
| |-
| |
| |}
| |
|
| |
| == Viewership ==
| |
| Hotstar generated at least 340 million views throughout the [[2015 Cricket World Cup]], and over 200 million during the 2015 Indian Premier League season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 June 2015 |title=Hotstar notches up 200 million views in IPL 8 |url=http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/Hk3d4d6KIQ6YgpnxGjxn1I/Hotstar-notches-up-61-million-views-in-IPL8.html |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827015322/http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/Hk3d4d6KIQ6YgpnxGjxn1I/Hotstar-notches-up-61-million-views-in-IPL8.html |archive-date=27 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=12 December 2017 |title=Amazon Prime Video vs Netflix vs Hotstar: From price to content, which is the best video streaming site in India |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/technology-gallery/759938/amazon-prime-video-vs-netflix-vs-hotstar-from-price-to-content-which-is-the-best-video-streaming-site-in-india/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223101919/http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/technology-gallery/759938/amazon-prime-video-vs-netflix-vs-hotstar-from-price-to-content-which-is-the-best-video-streaming-site-in-india/ |archive-date=23 December 2017}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| The 2019 Indian Premier League repeatedly broke records for concurrent viewership on Hotstar, with the [[2019 Indian Premier League Final|2019 final]] setting a new "global record" peak of 18.6 million. US website ''[[TechCrunch]]'' credited these gains to the extensive growth of internet usage in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hotstar, Disney's Indian streaming service, sets new global record for live viewership |url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2019/05/12/hotstar-disneys-indian-streaming-service-sets-new-global-record-for-live-viewership/ |access-date=13 May 2019 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref> This was surpassed during the semi-final of the 2019 Cricket World Cup between India and New Zealand, with 25.3 million. After the India-Pakistan match earlier in the tournament, Hotstar surpassed 100 million daily users.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hotstar sets global streaming record during India-New Zealand semi-final |url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/hotstar-global-streaming-record-india-new-zealand-semi-final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718183201/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/hotstar-global-streaming-record-india-new-zealand-semi-final |archive-date=18 July 2019 |access-date=18 July 2019 |website=SportsPro Media}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| == Censorship ==
| |
| The HBO series ''[[Last Week Tonight with John Oliver|Last Week Tonight]]'' faced several instances of censorship on Hotstar since the purchase of the service by Disney; two episodes were edited to remove jokes referencing Disney characters, including a November 2019 episode on the [[United States Census|US census]] relating to a PSA featuring [[Mickey Mouse]] (where Oliver claimed the character was a "[[Crack cocaine|crack]] addict"; a scene was also cropped to obscure a graphic relating to the joke),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hotstar Censors Disney Jokes in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver |url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/hotstar-last-week-tonight-with-john-oliver-disney-fact-censorship-india-2135884 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219234521/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/hotstar-last-week-tonight-with-john-oliver-disney-fact-censorship-india-2135884 |archive-date=19 December 2019 |access-date=27 February 2020 |website=NDTV Gadgets 360}}</ref> and a remark about [[Donald Duck]]'s penis being "[[Penis#Birds|shaped like a corkscrew]]" during an episode discussing China's [[one-child policy]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name="thr-lwthotstar">{{Cite web |title=John Oliver Slams Disney-Owned Streamer for Censoring 'Last Week Tonight' Jokes About Disney |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/john-oliver-slams-disney-owned-hotstar-removing-jokes-disney-1283146 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310025824/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/john-oliver-slams-disney-owned-hotstar-removing-jokes-disney-1283146 |archive-date=10 March 2020 |access-date=9 March 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> In February 2020, Hotstar refused to carry an episode that contained segments critical of Indian prime minister [[Narendra Modi]], which had alleged that his policy of [[Hindutva|Hindu nationalism]] was a growing threat to democracy in India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney India Blocks John Oliver Show Critical of Narendra Modi |url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/walt-disney-in-india-blocks-john-oliver-show-critical-of-modi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226125322/https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/walt-disney-in-india-blocks-john-oliver-show-critical-of-modi |archive-date=26 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020 |website=BloombergQuint}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 February 2020 |title=Hotstar blocks John Oliver's 'Last Week Tonight' episode criticising Narendra Modi |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/hotstar-blocks-john-olivers-last-week-tonight-episode-criticising-narendra-modi/article30920096.ece |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226104844/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/hotstar-blocks-john-olivers-last-week-tonight-episode-criticising-narendra-modi/article30920096.ece |archive-date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 February 2020 |title=Disney India blocks John Oliver's show critical of Narendra Modi |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/disney-india-blocks-john-oliver-show-critical-of-narendra-modi-6287300/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226125322/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/disney-india-blocks-john-oliver-show-critical-of-narendra-modi-6287300/ |archive-date=26 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| The programme's host [[John Oliver]] addressed all three instances of censorship by Hotstar in the 8 March 2020 episode. He placed a larger emphasis on the censorship of Disney references, however (alluding to his role of [[Zazu (Disney character)|Zazu]] in Disney's 2019 CGI remake of ''The Lion King)'', jokingly arguing that he resented the censorship of his "factually accurate" Donald Duck joke more than the Modi episode being pulled.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=John Oliver slams Disney for censoring his show in India |url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2020/03/08/john-oliver-slams-disneys-hotstar-for-censoring-his-show/ |access-date=9 March 2020 |website=TechCrunch |archive-date=6 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806054805/https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/08/john-oliver-slams-disneys-hotstar-for-censoring-his-show/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="thr-lwthotstar" />
| |
|
| |
| The service was highly criticized and ridiculed upon the launch in Thailand for the censorship and editing of Disney content, where violent and/or suggestive scenes were cut out or blurred, with a majority of titles being cropped to fit 16:9 widescreen televisions and/or also sped up to 25 frames per second ([[PAL]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.catdumb.com/movie-series/20481|title=ชาวเน็ตบ่นอุบ หลังพบ Disney+ Hotstar ตัดฉากรุนแรง ฉากทางเพศออก จนเสียอรรถรส|trans-title=The internet complains of Disney+ Hotstar after noticing violent and suggestive scenes were cut out|author=เหมียวนานะ|website=CatDumb|language=th|date=2 July 2021|accessdate=21 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722043700/https://www.catdumb.com/movie-series/20481|url-status=live}}</ref> On 14 July 2021, during a live podcast hosted by Thai news reporter Jomquan Laopetch, Disney Southeast Asia and Thailand general manager, direct-to-consumer Winradit Kolasastraseni stated that he was aware of the issues and admitted they were the [[Quality control|QC team]]'s fault; the service has been replacing censored/edited video files with their original cuts since then.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w8Nic8uK_4|title=มาเถอะจะคุยI EP.19 "เมื่อโควิดมาถึงจุดนี้ เอาผิดรัฐบาลได้ไหม?" {{Pipe}} จอมขวัญ|author=Jomquan|website=[[YouTube]]|language=th|date=14 July 2021|accessdate=21 July 2021|archive-date=22 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722043653/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w8Nic8uK_4|url-status=live}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| == Notes ==
| |
| {{notelist}}
| |
|
| |
| == See also ==
| |
| * [[Hulu]], a sister streaming service owned and operated by Disney for general entertainment content in United States markets.
| |
| * [[Star (Disney+)|Star]], a similar streaming brand used by Disney for general entertainment content in other markets, which is offered within the Disney+ infrastructure.
| |
| * [[Star+]], a similar streaming brand used by Disney for general entertainment content in Latin America markets.
| |
|
| |
| == References ==
| |
| {{reflist}}
| |
|
| |
| == External links ==
| |
| * {{official website|www.hotstar.com/in}}
| |
| {{Hotstar}}{{Star TV}}
| |
| {{Star Sports}}{{Navboxes|list1={{Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution}}
| |
| {{Disney}}
| |
| {{VOD services}}}}
| |
|
| |
| [[Category:Disney+]]
| |
| [[Category:Indian entertainment websites]]
| |
| [[Category:Internet television streaming services]]
| |
| [[Category:Self-censorship]]
| |
| [[Category:Star India]]
| |
| [[Category:Star Sports]]
| |
| [[Category:Subscription video on demand services]]
| |
This page is a redirect. The following categories are used to track and monitor this redirect: