Disney+ Hotstar crosses 26.8 mn subscribers in India
NEW DELHI: Disney+ Hotstar made up 30% of the total subscription base of its global parent in December, double the 15% figure in August, as Indians flocked to the video streaming app for sports and big-budget movies, backed by a partnership with wireless operator Reliance Jio that expanded its reach in the hinterland.
While Disney+ crossed 86.8 million global subscribers, 26.8 million of them were Disney+ Hotstar users from India, Walt Disney said at its 2020 Investor Day on Friday. Disney+, part of American media and entertainment conglomerate The Walt Disney Co., runs streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar in India.
In contrast, competing US streaming service provider Netflix is estimated to close the year with 4.6 million paid subESPN+ scribers in India, according to a recent analysis by Media Partners Asia, an independent provider of research, advisory and consulting services across media, telecoms, sports and entertainment industries in Asia Pacific.
Overall, Disney reported 137 million paid subscriptions across all its direct-to-consumer services like Hulu, and Disney+. The company expects to hit 300-350 million subscribers by fiscal 2024.
“We are uniquely positioned for India because of the rapidly growing middle class and their purchasing power,” said Rebecca Campbell, chairman, international operations and direct-to-consumer, Walt Disney, also citing Disney’s tie-up with Reliance Jio.
As part of the partnership, Jio’s prepaid users can choose from monthly and annual packs, as well as data add-on vouchers, to get free Hotstar VIP subscription. Campbell said Disney+ Hotstar now offers 17,000 hours of local programming in seven local languages, including big-ticket sports properties like the IPL (Indian Premier League).
“The India model shall serve as a template for other south Asian markets such as Indonesia,” Campbell said.