JioHotstar Launches Globally in UK, Canada and Singapore with 160,000 Hours of Content and Interactive Features
CE DESK 
JioHotstar, the streaming platform owned by JioStar (a Reliance Industries–backed venture), has officially expanded beyond India with launches in the UK, Canada and Singapore from September 2, 2026. The service replaces the existing Hotstar app in these three markets, with users able to log in using their current credentials but needing to download the new JioHotstar app on mobile and connected TVs.
Content and features
At launch, JioHotstar is offering more than 160,000 hours of content across 12-plus Asian languages, including films, TV shows, regional programming, non-fiction, kids’ content and anime. The library includes Hotstar Originals such as Asur, Special Ops, Criminal Justice, Heartbeat and Resort, alongside recent film hits like Dhurandhar, 12th Fail and Chhichhore. Reality franchise Bigg Boss is a key pillar, with live voting enabled across six language editions for audiences in all three markets.
Interactive and “before-TV” features differentiate the international rollout. Subscribers in Canada and the UK get a 24×7 live feed of Bigg Boss, while Canadian viewers can watch Bigg Boss Hindi seven days ahead of its TV broadcast. In Canada and Singapore, users can stream India Ka Top 1 Percent, hosted by Anil Kapoor, and get early access to popular TV shows such as Anupama, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Seher Hone Ko Hai and Azhagae Azhagau via a Before-TV window. UK viewers can watch select shows simultaneously with their TV telecast.
The platform also promises personalized recommendations, upgraded user experience, and subtitles and dubs across 12 Asian languages, with plans to add around 30,000 hours of fresh content annually.
Pricing and plans
For the first time, JioHotstar is introducing quarterly subscription plans alongside annual options in all three markets. Effective September 2, pricing is:
- UK: £19.99 quarterly, £69.99 annually
- Canada: C$19.99 quarterly, C$49.99 annually
- Singapore: S$29.98 quarterly, S$69.98 annually
In the UK, existing Hotstar subscribers can continue on their current monthly plans until renewal, after which the new quarterly/annual structure applies.
No sports at launch
Notably, the international version of JioHotstar is launching without live sports, including major properties like the Indian Premier League (IPL), Women’s Premier League (WPL) and Indian national cricket matches that drive huge viewership in India. JioStar has indicated that existing content deals prevent sports from being offered at launch in these markets, though it has not ruled out adding them later.
Strategic focus
The expansion is clearly aimed at the South Asian diaspora and global audiences seeking Indian-language entertainment, positioning JioHotstar as a multilingual, India-centric streaming service outside the home market. By combining a large content library, interactive features and flexible pricing, JioStar is testing international appetite before potentially widening its global footprint.
