Back then, before you can watch a live cricket match or a favourite TV show, you’ll have to wait for the time it will be broadcast. If you miss any program or sports, you’ve missed it.
However, the entertainment industry has totally transformed recently. We no longer have to wait for a specific time to watch TV programs.
Now, we’re in the “on-demand” streaming era. People can watch anything, anytime and anywhere they are.
One of these On demand platforms is Hotstar. It’s now known in India as JioHotstar.
Before, people had to pay for different services to enable them watch different types of content. It could be one cable for movies. Another one for daily TV dramas. While another separate subscription plan just for sports channels.
But with the use of streaming services like JioHotstar, all these channels can be seen in one app.
JioHotstar is a streaming platform for latest Hollywood movies and Marvel superhero films.
The long wait for a new movie to broadcast on TV after its theater release is over. Many movies now premiere on streaming platforms just a couple of weeks post-release.
Previously, people usually wait till weekends to watch new episode of a movie. But with Binge-Watching, you can watch many episodes of a movie at a time.
Streaming platforms like JioHotstar has its own content know as ‘Specials’. This content streams movies of famous actors which can’t be seen on regular Indian TV channels.
JioHotstar streams live cricket games. This sports activity is very common among the Indians. It also streams English Premier League football. Even Olympic live games are not left out.
With affordable paid plans and faster internet, you can access all the services on JioHotstar platform.
What is Hotstar?
Hotstar is a streaming platform and also an app. It streams TV shows, movies and children cartoons. However, Hotstar is mostly known to stream live sports, especially, cricket games which is a very popular sports activity in India.
Hotstar is known to stream:
- TV shows
- Movies
- Kids’ cartoons
- Live sports
- Indian TV Shows and Movies: Hotstar has lots of TV shows and movies. You can watch popular TV shows like ‘The Great Indian Murder’. Popular movies like ‘The Godfather’ are available to stream. You can also stream latest episodes and movies once they’re released. Hotstar has a huge collection of Indian movies in various local languages. They’re: Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Hollywood movies and films from around the world are also streamed on Hotstar.
- Kid’s Cartoon: Hotstar has lots of amazing kids’ cartoons, including some Disney Junior series. It also has some awesome Indian animated series, Japanese anime, and Pixar classics.
- Hotstar Specials (Originals): Hotstar Specials are premium movies and TV shows made just for this platform. Hotstar has a combination of Indian and international shows. It’s made up of thrillers, comedy shows, movies, drama series and more. Hotstar also feature these movies in different languages including in English.
- Live Sports: People can watch live sports activities on JioHotstar website or app. These games are: Football, Cricket, Tennis, Badminton and Kabaddi. Some JioHotstar games are also available on Star Sports Network.
- Hotstar Social and Interactive Features: Hotstar makes watching live sports more fun for sports fans. You can join action and track live score. You can also chat with friends while watching through their “Watch with Friends” feature. It fosters social interaction and makes it feel like you’re watching live match with your friends.
How Hotstar Works
- Use any of your social media account or email to create an account on Hotstar.
- Select and pay for any subscription plan that you prefer.
- Start using the streaming services through the app or website. You may choose to connect to your TV for better views.
- Next, choose what you want and start watching. You can click on subtitles to change the audio language to your preferred one.
- You can download and watch offline if offline viewing is available. This service is only available on paid plans.
- Additionally, you can stream on 3-4 devices with multiple profiles. The use of parental control is also available. You can also adjust video quality to save data.
- Furthermore, you can cancel your subscription plan in account settings if you decide to stop using this service.
Hotstar Subscriptions
- Mobile Plan
- Super Plan
- Premuim Plan
Hotstar Compatible Devices
- Mobile phones
- Smart TVs
- Tablets
- Streaming sticks
- Computers
List of Hotstar Supported Countries
Hotstar supported sountries are:
- India (JioHotstar)
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Singapore
- United States
- South Africa
- Philippines
Countries like:
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirate
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Egypt
- Morocco
- Algeria and
- Tunisia can access and use Hotstar through Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Hotstar’s library has lots of shows and movies in India. However, other countries have limited access to the full library.
List of Hotstar Supported States in the USA
Hotstar is available in the United States, but it doesn’t function alone. Hotstar shows and movies can be streamed on other Disney apps. This change happened in 2021.
Where to Access Hotstar Content in the USA
You can’t access or use the Hotstar app alone in the United States anymore. However, you watch Hotstar shows on:
- Hulu
- Disney+
Hotstar Alternatives:
- Netflix
- Disney+
- Amazon Prime Video
- Apple TV+
Indian Mainstreaming
- JioCinema
- ZEE5
- MX Player
- Yupp TV
Conclusion
Hotstar is an Indian streaming platform for news, live sports events, movies and other TV shows. However, Hotstar supported countries is limited in number. Some countries in Africa and some parts of Asia can only access Hotstar through the use of local VPN.
Hotstar has paid and free plans. However, the subscribed plan has all the services in with offline viewing.
Phones, tablets, smart TVs or computers can be used to stream videos on Hotstar platform.
Hotstar is a very popular streaming service in India and some other countries. But the streaming content varies by location.
Lastly, Hotstar is majorly a streaming platform for live events and entertainment.