iWorld
JioHotstar rolls out monthly plans from Rs 79 across all tiers
NATIONAL: JioHotstar has introduced monthly subscription plans across its Mobile, Super and Premium tiers, starting at Rs 79 a month, in a bid to give viewers more flexibility in how they consume entertainment. The revised pricing structure will apply to new subscribers from 28 January, 2026, while existing users on auto-renewal will see no change in either price or benefits.
The platform said the move reflects a sharp shift in viewing behaviour, with large-screen and connected TV consumption surging over the past year. Monthly plans will now sit alongside quarterly and annual options, aimed at both mobile-first users and families streaming premium content on television screens at home.
Under the updated structure, Hollywood content will be bundled into the Super and Premium tiers for new subscribers. Mobile-only users can continue to access Hollywood titles through a paid add-on, allowing them to customise their viewing based on preferences and budget.
JioHotstar said the changes come at a pivotal phase of growth for the platform, which has crossed one billion downloads on Google Play and now serves more than 450 million monthly active users across every pin code in India. The service offers over 300,000 hours of content across languages and genres, spanning sport, films, originals, children’s programming, anime and international entertainment.
JioStar head of SVOD business and chief marketing officer Sushant Sreeram, said subscription choices needed to keep pace with how audiences want to watch. He added that the update was designed to expand choice and access, while supporting continued investment in premium storytelling, live sport and large-scale streaming technology.
iWorld
JioHotstar enters micro-drama space with 100 shows under Tadka banner
Short-form push targets 300M users as content meets commerce in new format
MUMBAI: JioStar has made a bold play in India’s fast-growing micro-drama space, rolling out over 100 short-form shows under its new Tadka banner on JioHotstar, timed with the massive viewership surge of the Indian Premier League 2026.
The scale of the launch signals clear intent. Rather than testing the waters, the company has dived in headfirst, releasing a wide slate of content on day one. Each show is designed for quick consumption, with episodes running 60 to 90 seconds in a vertical format tailored for mobile-first audiences.
The move comes as India’s micro-drama market, currently valued at around $300 million, is projected to grow tenfold to over $3 billion by 2030. Globally, the format has already proven its mettle, with China’s micro-drama sector recording explosive growth in recent years.
What sets this rollout apart is its built-in monetisation strategy. The shows are free to watch and ad-supported, with brand integrations woven directly into storylines from the outset. It reflects a broader shift where content and commerce are increasingly intertwined, rather than operating in silos.
The timing is equally strategic. With more than 300 million users already tuning in for IPL action, JioHotstar is effectively turning cricket’s biggest stage into a discovery engine for its new format.
The company is not entering an empty arena. Early movers like Kuku TV, MX Player and platforms backed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises have already laid the groundwork, building audiences and validating demand for snackable storytelling.
Now, with scale, distribution and advertiser interest aligning, the big players are stepping in. For JioStar, Tadka may well serve as a proving ground for the next evolution of digital entertainment, where every minute counts and every second sells.
If the bet pays off, India’s next big content wave might just arrive in under 90 seconds.
