NEW DELHI, 4 DEC

The JioHotstar domain has officially come under the ownership of Viacom18, the media and entertainment company supported by Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries. According to the latest Whois data, the domain is now registered in Viacom18's name. This acquisition signals a significant move by the company as it continues to expand its digital presence and challenge the dominance of global and local players in India's growing OTT (over-the-top) streaming market.

Viacom18, which operates popular platforms like JioCinema, has been aggressively pursuing strategies to strengthen its position in the entertainment ecosystem. JioCinema gained significant traction with high-profile content acquisitions and partnerships, including streaming rights for the IPL and blockbuster releases. The acquisition of the JioHotstar domain may indicate the company’s plans to draw Disney+ Hotstar’s user base or leverage the well-known "Hotstar" branding to further bolster its portfolio.

Although there hasn’t been an official announcement on how the JioHotstar domain will be utilised, industry experts believe it could play a crucial role in Viacom18’s strategy to integrate its offerings and appeal to a broader audience. The move also comes at a time when competition in the streaming industry is at an all-time high, with platforms vying for market share through innovative content, pricing strategies, and user experience enhancements.

This development highlights Reliance’s focus on consolidating its digital assets under one umbrella and positioning itself as a leader in India’s entertainment sector. By acquiring this domain, Viacom18 is making a statement about its ambitions in a market projected to grow exponentially in the coming years. Agencies