Picture this: a media empire pumping over $10 billion into movies, shows, and sports to win the hearts of 700 million streaming fans in India. That’s the jaw-dropping plan Uday Shankar, JioStar’s Vice Chairman, laid out at the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai. With a staggering ₹25,000 crore ($3 billion) spent in 2024, ₹30,000 crore ($3.6 billion) in 2025, and up to ₹35,000 crore ($4.1 billion) planned for 2026, JioStar isn’t just playing the game—it’s rewriting the rules. Born from the Reliance-Disney merger, this powerhouse is betting big on India’s love for entertainment. Here’s why JioStar’s bold move could change how we watch forever.
A Mega-Merger Sparks a Media Revolution
JioStar came to life in November 2024, when Reliance Industries’ Jio platforms and Disney’s Indian assets fused in an $8.5 billion deal. The result? A beast of a company that merged JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar into JioHotstar, a streaming platform Shankar says pulls in 500 million users a month. Forget the doom-and-gloom predictions about cable TV dying—JioStar’s not only kept its TV business thriving but also supercharged its streaming game. With a 34% grip on India’s TV market and a content library six times bigger than Netflix or Amazon’s in India, it’s a force to be reckoned with.
Shankar told Vivek Couto of Media Partners Asia at WAVES that JioStar’s focus is laser-sharp: give Indian audiences what they crave. During the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the company added 1.5 million TV households in just 10 days, with a goal of 5 million by the season’s end. “We’re not chasing global profits like some streamers,” Shankar said, throwing shade at the likes of Netflix. “Our returns come from India’s own market.” That’s a big statement when you’re serving 358 million daily viewers across 100+ TV channels in 10 languages.
Doubling Down on Stories Indians Love
So, why drop $10 billion on content? Because India’s 1.4 billion people want stories that hit home. From Bollywood extravaganzas to gritty Bhojpuri dramas and Haryanvi hits, JioStar’s all about content that feels local but dreams global. Think IPL matches dubbed in every dialect, original series that capture India’s chaos and heart, and movies that could rival Hollywood’s shine. Shankar admitted they’re playing catch-up—India’s content demand outstrips supply—but JioStar’s cash infusion is building a pipeline to feed that hunger, targeting 300 million subscribers during IPL 2025.
This isn’t just about flooding screens with shows. Shankar’s pushing for quality, not just quantity, and he’s got the tech to back it up. JioHotstar blends Jio’s digital wizardry with Disney’s storytelling magic, offering crystal-clear streaming and AI that knows exactly what you want to watch next. Industry analyst Taran Adarsh called it “a game-changer for personalized viewing.” Shankar’s even dreaming bigger, urging India’s media industry, valued at $30 billion, to rethink how it makes money so local content can shine worldwide.
TV and Streaming: Why Choose One?
While global streamers like Amazon are all-in on digital, JioStar’s playing both sides like a pro. Shankar shut down the “TV is dead” narrative at WAVES, saying, “Linear TV’s not going anywhere—it’s just evolving.” He’s got a point: JioStar’s 800 million monthly viewers across TV and streaming prove people want both. The merger’s timing was perfect, flipping pay TV’s decline into growth. JioHotstar raked in ₹10,600 crore ($1.3 billion) and 100 million paid users in its first five weeks, with IPL 2025’s opening weekend drawing 50.3 crore monthly active users.
Shankar’s not shy about calling out regulators, either. He took a jab at TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti, who wants the same rules for TV and streaming. “They’re different beasts at different stages,” Shankar argued, and JioStar’s success shows why. By offering free and paid content alongside its TV dominance, JioStar’s grabbing a bigger slice of India’s audience than any global rival.
The Risks and the Payoff
Let’s be real: $10 billion is a wild bet, and it’s not without speed bumps. India’s streaming scene is a battleground, with Netflix, Amazon, and local players fighting for attention. Turning 700 million viewers—many on cheap or free plans—into steady cash is no easy feat, as The Economic Times points out. Shankar’s push for clear regulations, especially keeping TV and streaming rules separate, hints at behind-the-scenes friction. And with a content library this massive, keeping every show or movie a hit is a tall order.
But the early signs are promising. Business Standard reports JioStar’s planning ₹33,000 crore for FY26, on top of ₹55,000 crore already spent in 2024–25. They’re not just throwing money at screens—they’re building the future with moves like launching the Indian Institute of Creative Technology at WAVES to train digital talent. Shankar’s got Mukesh Ambani’s deep pockets and Disney’s polish behind him, and that combo could make JioStar not just India’s biggest player but a global one.
Why You Should Care
JioStar’s $10 billion content spree is a big deal for anyone who loves a good story. It means more Bollywood bangers, regional dramas that hit you in the feels, and sports moments that glue families to the couch. JioHotstar’s already serving up a mix of free cricket, Disney classics, and new originals, and it’s only getting bigger. For India’s media industry, it’s a chance to step onto the world stage, proving the country’s stories can rival anything from Hollywood or Seoul.
Source: Variety
