JioHotstar, a streaming service owned by India's Reliance Industries, is expanding internationally for the first time, launching in the UK, Canada, and Singapore. This marks a shift in strategy as the company moves beyond its primary market in India. The service will replace the existing Hotstar brand in these countries, starting on September 2, with users no longer able to access Hotstar through its app. However, existing login credentials will work on JioHotstar. The app will be available on mobile devices and connected TVs via the App Store and Google Play Store in these regions. JioHotstar will launch with over 160,000 hours of entertainment content, including Indian films, TV shows, reality programs like Bigg Boss, and live TV channels such as Star Plus and Star Vijay. However, live sports—previously a major draw in India, including cricket matches and the Indian Premier League—will not be included at launch. The company explained that this is due to existing content agreements, though it did not rule out adding sports in the future. This contrasts with its Indian offering, where sports content has been a significant draw for its 500 million monthly active users. The service will be available in 12 languages, including English, Hindi, and regional languages like Malayalam and Marathi, with dubs and subtitles for broader accessibility. Reliance Industries merged its media assets with Disney in 2024 to form an $8.5 billion joint venture, combining Hotstar and JioCinema into JioHotstar. This merger positioned the service as a dominant player in India’s streaming market, capturing 85% of the audience at the time. Pricing for JioHotstar will be similar to previous Hotstar rates, with subscription plans starting at around $27 per quarter or $95 annually in the UK, and lower rates in Canada and Singapore. However, users seeking sports content may need to subscribe to additional services, as JioHotstar will focus solely on entertainment at launch. The company aims to cater to a global audience, particularly South Asians living abroad, by offering culturally relevant content while also appealing to those interested in diverse storytelling and international cultures.