iWorld
Ormax report: Prime Video’s Bawaal is the most-watched direct-to-OTT Hindi film of 2023
Mumbai: Ormax media has released the annual version of their report ‘Streaming Originals in India: The 2023 Story’.
Since 2018-19, Ormax Media has compiled extensive industry data for India’s growing streaming category. Their report, focusing solely on original content, analyses the top shows and films of 2023 in Hindi and International languages. It evaluates them based on viewership, marketing buzz, and content strength. Please note that this report excludes ‘non-original’ streaming content like theatrical films, catch-up television, sports, etc.
Farzi is the only show to cross the 30 mn viewership mark in 2023 and is now the most-watched SVOD series in India of all time. Both Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar have six shows in the top 15 list. Two AVOD shows from JioCinema, i.e., Asur 2 & Taali, feature in the top five most-watched shows of the year.
The top 10 list has a healthy mix of sub-genres (TV show extensions, documentaries, task-based reality competitions, etc.), indicating that the non-fiction category now has significantly more width on OTT than a year or two ago.
Prime Video’s Bawaal is the most-watched direct-to-OTT Hindi film of 2023, followed by JioCinema’s Bloody Daddy. Netflix features strongly on this list, with six films on the platform crossing the nine million viewership mark.
Citadel, aided by Priyanka Chopra’s presence, is the most-watched International show of 2023, ahead of the rest of the pack by more than 50 per cent. Every other entry in this list, except Citadel, is a franchise show or brand extension.
Extraction 2 and Heart Of Stone, both on Netflix, are the only two International films to cross the eight million viewership mark. Two documentary films feature in the top 10 most-watched International films of 2023, both based on the Korean band BTS.
Farzi (Prime Video) generated the maximum Buzz, followed by S2 of Asur (JioCinema). Only three out of the top 15 ‘buzzing’ shows are franchise shows in 2023 (unlike nine shows in 2022).
Films featuring theatrical stars dominate the list. Seven out the top 10 films of 2023 on Buzz are from Netflix.
Only four International properties managed to touch the 15 per cent mark on Buzz in 2023. Seven properties on this list are from Netflix, indicating the strength of their international slate compared to other platforms.
Asur 2 (JioCinema) is the most-liked Hindi series of 2023. Farzi (Prime Video) and The Railway Men (Netflix) are the only other shows to cross the 70-mark on OPR in 2023.
Mission Majnu (Netflix), followed closely by Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai (ZEE5), is the most-liked direct-to-OTT film of 2023.
Except for Money Heist (S4 & S5), Loki S2 is the second most-liked International show till date (since the start of tracking in 2020). The top 10 list features shows from a variety of genres and languages.
Extraction 2 emerged as a break-out success in terms of its audience likeability, being the only International direct-to-OTT film to cross the 75 mark, 10 points higher than the second position on the list.
For more information, read the report here:
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.
