JioHotstar announced a 47% price hike for its Premium and Super annual plans effective January 28, 2026, raising the Premium plan to ₹2,199. The increase reflects higher content licensing and multi‑device support costs amid rising inflation in India’s OTT market. Existing subscribers can avoid the new rates by renewing before the deadline or switching to the mobile‑only plan.
What Changed in JioHotstar Pricing?
- Premium Plan: Annual subscription now costs ₹2,199, up from ₹1,499.
- Super Plan: Similar price adjustment, keeping the gap between the two plans minimal.
- Mobile‑Focused Plan: Prices remain largely unchanged, offering a budget‑friendly option for cost‑conscious users.
Reasons Behind the Price Increase
The price adjustment is driven by rising expenses in content licensing and technology infrastructure. As viewers shift from mobile phones to larger TV screens and consume content across multiple devices, the platform incurs higher costs to support multi‑device streaming and secure premium content.
OTT Market Inflation Context
India’s OTT sector has seen several price hikes across major players in recent months. Growing production, licensing, and infrastructure costs are creating an “inflation pressure” on subscription services, prompting platforms to adjust pricing to maintain profitability.
User Base and Competitive Landscape
With roughly 300 million subscribers, JioHotstar ranks as the second‑largest OTT service in India after Netflix. Despite its extensive user base, the price rise could trigger churn if competitors continue offering lower‑priced or free‑trial alternatives.
Potential Impact and Strategic Moves
- Revenue Growth: Higher pricing can boost average revenue per user (ARPU), helping offset increased operational costs.
- Consumer Response: Many users may renew early to lock in current rates, creating a short‑term surge in renewals.
- Bundling Opportunities: Combining JioHotstar with Jio telecom plans (Fiber, 4G/5G) could deliver overall cost savings and retain subscribers.
- Content Investment: Additional revenue can be directed toward original regional series and movies, enhancing platform appeal.
Options for Users to Save Money
Subscribers can avoid the new pricing by renewing their plans before January 28, 2026, or by switching to the mobile‑only plan, which remains comparatively affordable.
Conclusion
The price increase signals a broader trend of rising costs within India’s OTT industry, driven by content acquisition and multi‑device support demands. While the move aims to strengthen JioHotstar’s financial position, balancing revenue goals with user satisfaction and competitive pressure will be crucial for maintaining market share in the coming months.
