Jiostar Emerges Amid JioHotstar Domain Drama and $8.5 Billion Reliance-Disney Merger
A new website called Jiostar has recently surfaced amid ongoing developments surrounding the JioHotstar domain name. Currently, jiostar.com displays only a simple “coming soon” message, leaving people to speculate about what’s next.
Jiostar’s Launch Sparks Speculation
Industry insiders suspect this new site could be the emerging OTT platform from the recent merger of Reliance Industries and Hotstar, although no official confirmation has been made about its purpose or connection to the merger.
The arrival of Jiostar comes shortly after an unexpected move by the owners of the JioHotstar domain name, Jainam, and Jivika Jain. The Dubai-based siblings, who own jiohotstar.com, offered the domain to Reliance without any financial demands.
JioHotstar Domain Offered Free to Reliance
In a public statement, Jainam and Jivika said, “With all the discussions happening, we now think it might be best for Team Reliance to have this domain if they want it. We are happy to give jiohotstar.com to them for free, with all the proper paperwork. To be clear, this is entirely our choice. No one from Reliance or any legal group has contacted us or pressured us in any way. We made this decision on our own, without any pressure from friends, family, or anyone else.” The siblings had previously purchased the domain from a Delhi-based app developer, reportedly intending to help him fund his education.
This offer from the Jains came after the original developer, based in Delhi, had himself offered the domain to Reliance Industries or Viacom18. His goal was to generate funds to support his studies at Cambridge University.
Mega Merger Approved, Industry Transformation Begins
This is just one of the many intriguing developments following the recent merger of Disney Star and Reliance Industries, a deal that received approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in August. With a valuation of approximately $8.5 billion, this merger is set to reshape India’s media and entertainment landscape and stands as one of the country’s largest deals in this sector to date.
Reliance Industries provided further insights into the timeline of the merger in its quarterly earnings report for Q2FY25, confirming that it will be finalized in the third quarter of the 2024-25 financial year. The CCI’s official approval for the merger was released in a comprehensive 48-page order on October 22, which included several stipulations, such as the divestment of seven television channels.
As per the terms of the merger, Reliance Industries will hold a 60% stake in the combined entity, distributed through a 16% direct stake and an additional 47% held via its majority-owned Viacom18 Media business. Meanwhile, Disney will retain a 37% stake in the merger.
This large-scale partnership highlights the expansion of Reliance’s digital entertainment ambitions, especially as it continues to build its presence in India’s increasingly competitive streaming market.
Reliance’s substantial stake—split between direct investment and its Viacom18 holdings—suggests it will have a significant say in the new venture’s strategic direction. By comparison, Disney’s remaining 37% ownership highlights its continued interest in India’s OTT landscape, while allowing Reliance to drive a substantial portion of the content and business strategies.
Regulatory Conditions and New OTT Prospects
Though the exact role of Jiostar remains speculative for now, its name has led many to believe it could be the rebranded face of the new Jio and Hotstar venture. This theory has gained traction in part because the timing of its online debut aligns closely with the recent domain name discussions and merger news.
In their offer to Reliance, Jainam and Jivika Jain also made it clear that no external pressure influenced their decision to transfer the jiohotstar.com domain. Instead, they simply felt it was the best course of action given the current circumstances.
