Hotstar’s Hidden Data Revealed: Here’s What Indians Watched In Last 12 Months!

Star India’s on-demand video streaming app: Hotstar is India’s largest such app with 75 million active monthly subscribers and 170 million downloads in 2017.

Streaming of IPL and other major cricket events no doubt helped Hotstar to ramp up the numbers, but their entertainment shows and exclusives too helped them to make a mark, and attract more subscribers.

For the first time ever, Hotstar has revealed their data, showcasing what Indians watched in the last 12 months on their app; and more importantly, what are the hottest trends which their video streaming app witnessed.

These insights are highly relevant for video bloggers, video content curators and entertainment startups.

Insight #1: Data Consumption Increased 5 Times in India!

An average Hotstar user consumes massive 3 GB of data, per month; whereas 1.6 GB is the average data consumed by an Indian. This means that the average Indian is not afraid to watch videos now, as the fear of data consumption has vanished due to cheaper data rates. Kerala, UP and Bihar witnessed maximum data consumption, all over India.

In 2017, data consumption increased by 5 times, if we observe Hotstar users!

Insight #2: Virality Is Now Faster And Swifter!

The virality factor has now become even swifter and faster. As per Hotstar’s data, India-Pakistan cricket match of Champions Trophy Final was viewed 113 million times within 8 hours – a new record for hotstar. 4.7 million people watched it live, at the same time.

Insight #3: Samsung, Xiaomi Most Popular Smartphones

While Google ChromeCast has emerged as the most favourite device to watch Hotstar content on TV, Samsung and Xiaomi emerged as the most popular smartphones, followed by Oppo, Vivo and Lenovo. Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV were other popular connecting devices.

However, mobile is the #1 choice for watching content as 90% of all active Hotstar users opted for mobiles to watch content.

Insight #4: Small Towns Driving More Viewership

Although Hotstar’s users are spread all over India, maximum viewership comes from small towns, having population between 1 lakh and 10 lakh.

Small cities in Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha witnessed maximum growth of 6 times in viewerships, followed by cities in Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand.

Another interesting fact: Women from these Tier2, 3 cities came online faster than men in these cities, and women in Metro cities!

Insight #5: Indians Have Strange Video Watching Habits!

Men love to watch drama, as 50% of all men watched Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai!

On the other hand, women loved action as 18% of all women watched Baahubali: A Conclusion.

Youngsters too love drama as 63% of all youngsters watched Ishqbaaz

There is a criss-cross of viewer habits as well, seldom seen anywhere else, but in India. Sample this:

• 24% of all modern families watched cricket
• 26% of Game of Thrones watchers also watched Hindi soap operas
• 14% of Premier League viewers also watched Bengali serials
• 25% of watchtime of Telugu movies came from North and South India
• 20% of all movie watchtime in Delhi was of Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam movies
• 30% of all TV show watchtime in Tamil Nadu is of Hindu shows!

Insight #6: Most Watched TV Shows and Soap Operas!

Most watched movies on Hotstar app in the last 12 months are:

• Jolly LLB 2 (Hindi)
• Dr Strange (English)
• Maari (Tamil)
• Kaidi No 150 (Telugu)
• Pulimurugan (Malayalam)
• Haripada Bandwala (Bengali)

Most Watched TV Shows on Hotstar app in the last 12 months:

• Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
• Game of Thrones
• Big Boss (Tamil)
• Big Boss (Telugu)
• Parasparam (Malayalam)
• Khoka Babu (Bengali)

Overall, it is the video which is the future for Indian entertainment, online. If videos were the last thing which a new user online watched,  it has become the first thing now.

Are you a Hotstar user? Do let us know your favorite shows/movies/content by commenting right here!