iWorld
Global OTT revenue to reach $129 bn by 2023 says study
MUMBAI: OTT business across the world is now in a high growth period. In the next five years, revenue from online TV episode and films will reach $129 billion, which is more than double of same recorded in last year. Back in 2017, it stood at $53 billion and in 2018 alone $16 billion will be added. Global OTT TV & Video Forecasts has found the data after surveying 18 countries.
The research has also found the top five markets will command 69 per cent of worldwide revenues by 2023, down from 73 per cent in 2017. While online video viewing was a typical trend of some particular developed countries a few years back also, it is clear that emerging markets are rapidly growing, boosting the overall ecosystem. The report predicts that OTT revenues will exceed $1 billion in 17 countries by 2023.
Among all the business models in OTT market, SVOD has highest upward growth in total revenue share. In 2016, it became the largest OTT revenue source by overtaking AVoD. The share of the total will increase from 47 per cent in 2017 to 53 per cent in 2023. However, AVOD is still very relevant in the game being left with enough opportunities. AVOD revenues are projected to increase by $27 billion between 2017 and 2023.
“No prizes for guessing that the US will remain the dominant territory by some distance,” Digital TV Research principal analyst Simon Murray commented. “However, its share of global revenues will fall from 43 per cent in 2017 to 37 per cent by 2023. We forecast that revenues in the US will more than double between 2017 and 2023 – adding nearly $25 billion to reach $48 billion."
China, another growing player, will add $17 billion over this same period to nearly triple its revenues to $26 billion. Its market share will increase to 20 per cent in 2023 from 17 per cent in 2017.
iWorld
JioHotstar brings HBO Max to India in exclusive Warner Bros. tie-up
Hit shows and global franchises arrive as platform sharpens streaming edge
MUMBAI: JioHotstar has expanded its partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery to bring HBO Max to India, making it the exclusive home for the global streaming platform in the country.
The HBO Max hub, now live on JioHotstar, offers a wide catalogue spanning HBO, Max Originals, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, creating a unified destination for premium international content.
The launch gives Indian audiences access to some of the most anticipated titles of 2026, including new seasons of Euphoria and House of the Dragon, alongside an upcoming Harry Potter series. Popular titles already available include The Last of Us, Succession, Game of Thrones and The White Lotus.
In a first for the platform, subscribers can also stream iconic series such as Friends and The Big Bang Theory, along with other fan favourites like The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural and The Flash.
Commenting on the launch, JioHotstar CEO entertainment Kevin Vaz said, “This marks a defining moment in how premium global content is accessed and experienced in India.” He added that the integration brings together scale, curation and accessibility to deliver a more immersive viewing experience.
Echoing the sentiment, Warner Bros. Discovery president Apac James Gibbons said, “India is one of the most vibrant streaming markets globally, and in JioHotstar, we have a partner with unmatched scale and a deep understanding of local audiences.” He noted that the move strengthens the reach of the company’s global franchises in the country.
The HBO Max hub will sit alongside JioHotstar’s existing content library, with subscription add-on plans starting at Rs 49 per month, offering viewers broader access to international programming.
With streaming competition heating up, this tie-up signals a clear push by JioHotstar to double down on premium global content and cement its position as a one-stop destination for entertainment in India.
