JioHotstar launches internationally in UK, Canada and Singapore
India's leading streamer JioHotstar has launched internationally in the U.K., Canada and Singapore, debuting as an all-new app with more than 160,000 hours of entertainment across 12+ Asian languages, interactive features including live Bigg Boss voting, personalized recommendations, and new quarterly subscription plans starting September 2.
Parent company JioStar is pushing beyond a simple catalog rollout. The redesigned platform emphasizes personalization and real-time audience engagement for South Asian diaspora viewers and broader global audiences seeking stories beyond Western mainstream offerings.
Key Takeaways
- JioHotstar replaces the former Hotstar app in the U.K., Canada and Singapore with a redesigned discovery and viewing experience.
- The launch catalog spans 160,000+ hours across 12+ Asian languages, new originals, TV channel content, and blockbuster film premieres.
- Interactive features include live Bigg Boss voting, a 24/7 live feed in Canada and the U.K., and Before-TV access to popular dramas in select markets.
- New quarterly plans join annual tiers, with updated pricing effective September 2; existing Hotstar subscribers can migrate with automatic plan conversion.
- Indian Premier League cricket and other JioStar-owned cricket rights will not be part of the international launch package.
What Is JioHotstar and Why Is It Launching Now?
JioHotstar is India's leading streaming platform, backed by parent company JioStar and serving more than 500 million active users globally. The service was previously available in the U.K., Canada and Singapore under the Hotstar brand.
The new JioHotstar app carries the content library and product experience of the India platform. Amit Malhotra, head of international business at JioStar, told Variety that streaming's next frontier is reimagining how audiences discover, engage with, and shape entertainment in real time—not just competing on catalog size.
What Content and Originals Are Available at Launch?
JioStar is launching with a fresh slate of originals including "Ali Baba Aur Chaalis Bhoot," "Prince of Mollywood," "Part Timers," and "The Court," plus blockbuster movie premieres throughout the year. The library also features established titles such as "Criminal Justice," "Special Ops," "Asur," "Aarya," and films including "Dhurandhar," "12th Fail," and "Jab We Met."
Content from JioStar television channels—including Star Plus, Colors, Star Vijay, Asianet, Star Jalsha, and Star Pravah—joins reality franchises like "Koffee With Karan," "Roadies," and "Cooku With Comali." Actor Anil Kapoor hosts a new game show, "India Ka Top 1 Percent," available in Canada and Singapore.
What Interactive Features Set JioHotstar Apart?
Reality franchise "Bigg Boss" returns across six languages, and for the first time viewers in Singapore, Canada, and the U.K. can cast live votes throughout each edition. Canada and U.K. audiences gain access to a 24/7 live feed, while Canada can watch "Bigg Boss Hindi" seven days ahead of its television broadcast.
JioHotstar's broader product strategy includes conversational voice discovery, AI-driven personalization, and in-app commerce. Premium-quality subtitles and dubbing are available in more than 12 Asian languages, including English, Hindi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, and Marathi.
How Much Does JioHotstar Cost in Each Market?
Updated pricing effective September 2 offers quarterly plans for the first time alongside annual tiers. In the U.K., subscriptions cost £19.99 ($27.20) per quarter or £69.99 ($95.20) annually. Canada pricing is CAD19.99 ($14.50) quarterly and CAD49.99 ($36.30) annually. Singapore subscribers pay SGD29.98 ($23.60) quarterly or SGD69.98 ($55.10) annually.
Existing Hotstar users can download the new JioHotstar app and sign in with current credentials; plans convert automatically to the matching tier. U.K. subscribers on monthly plans can keep them as long as auto-renewal stays active. The app is available on mobile and connected TV via the App Store and Google Play, with Android users in all three markets able to complete sign-up entirely in-app.
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