An anonymous app developer from Delhi has acquired the JioHotstar domain and is offering to sell it to Reliance in exchange for an unconventional price.
JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar are slated to merge by the end of this year.
In a bold move, an anonymous app developer from Delhi has claimed ownership of the coveted JioHotstar domain name, offering it to Reliance Industries with an unusual demand—funding for their Cambridge University education.
As the highly anticipated merger between JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar looms, it’s expected to reshape India’s OTT landscape. Insiders predict the merger of these two dominant streaming platforms could lead to a near-monopoly in the market. While official details about the merger remain scarce, reports suggest that the new entity may be called “JioHotstar.” However, this plan has hit a snag—an enterprising Delhi techie has already registered the JioHotstar domain.
The JioHotstar Domain Acquisition
Currently, the JioHotstar.com domain displays a simple webpage with the banner “JioHotstar: Best of Entertainment, Streaming Soon.” The page lacks any official logos or branding, but it does feature a direct message to Reliance Industries, the parent company of JioCinema.
The techie’s message begins by explaining how they stumbled upon the idea: “I’m an app developer from Delhi, working on my startup. In early 2023, I read about Disney+ Hotstar losing daily active users after losing IPL streaming rights, and I speculated they might merge with an Indian competitor, possibly Reliance-owned Viacom18. This reminded me of Jio’s acquisition of Saavn, where they rebranded it as JioSaavn. I thought, ‘If they acquire Hotstar, they might call it JioHotstar.’”
The Developer’s Unique Offer
The developer, seeking more than just financial compensation, is proposing a deal—funding for their Cambridge University education in exchange for the domain. “I’ve always dreamed of studying at Cambridge, but I couldn’t afford it. When I saw the domain was available, I saw an opportunity to make that dream come true,” reads the message. The developer previously participated in the Cambridge University Accelerate program and has set their sights on pursuing a full entrepreneurship degree there.
They are appealing to both Viacom18 and Reliance Industries to contact them officially for the domain purchase. “For a multi-billion-dollar company like Reliance, this is a minor expense. But for me, this sale would be life-changing,” the developer writes in their plea.
Awaiting a Response
Media outlets have reached out to both JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar for their comments on the situation. As of now, no official responses have been received. This story will be updated with any new developments.
