Hotstar is one of the most advertised video streaming app in India which offers ad-based TV shows and movies to its users in the country. Till now, Hotstar was only limited to local TV shows and some Hindi and English movies, but this is about to change soon.
Hotstar’s parent company, Star India has now launched ‘Hotstar Premium’ video streaming service. This is a paid service with a subscription cost of Rs. 199/month. Hotstar says that this service will have “the latest English shows and movies” available for live streaming in the country.
Users can opt in for Hotstar Premium using their credit cards right now. Users will get one month of free trial with zero commitments, that is, they can cancel the subscription anytime they want.
At the launch of its premium service, Hotstar is offering the Season 6 premiere episode of the immensely popular show, Game of Thrones. Please note that this episode was made available on Hotstar Premium minutes after its US telecast.
Tons of Uncensored English Seasons Now Available
Star India has inked a deal with HBO to offer its forthcoming seasons like Game of Thrones, True Detective, Silicon Valley, Veep, Vinyl, Leftovers, Band of Brothers, Entourage, The Sopranos, and Curb Your Enthusiasm in India on the same day as their US telecast.
Interestingly, Hotstar Premium will offer the uncensored version of Game of Thrones, and thus will let you enjoy your favourite show in its full glory.
Star India believes that offering uncensored version of shows like Game of Thrones would drive up their subscriptions, and I agree with them. People want to watch Game of Thrones now without waiting for its censored version to air on TV.
Star India might have derived this insight from the fact that Game of Thrones was the most pirated TV show on the internet. The company also revealed its plans of simulcasting of live sports events and shows from its network through Hotstar Premium.
Hotstar offer delayed streams of IPL at the moment, but Hotstar Premium would offer live streaming of all sports events.
This decision to simulcast would further increase the subscription of Hotstar Premium as sports events are meant to be watched live. People are not much interested in catching up with a game later after they come to know about its result via various information channels.
Star India CEO, Uday Shankar mentioned that Hotstar’s watch time for live cricket is now starting to reach 50% of the TV in larger cities.
India has seen the foray of a number of foreign and local video streaming services in the last few quarters. It is through offering various exclusive services that these VoD (Video-on-Demand) services would be able to gain more traction and grow their user base in the country.
What’s your take on this? Do you think that Indians would spend close to Rs. 200/month for watching live TV on their smartphones?