JioCinema introduces ₹29/month ad-free premium subscription

JioCinema, the streaming arm of Reliance Industries, has launched competitive subscription tiers, aiming to rival Netflix, Disney+Hotstar, and Amazon Prime Video in India's OTT market.

For ₹29 per month, JioCinema Premium offers ad-free access to a diverse range of content, including original series, movies, children's shows, and TV entertainment across multiple languages. Additionally, a family plan priced at ₹89 per month allows simultaneous streaming on up to four devices.

Last year, JioCinema introduced a hybrid model, offering a ₹999 annual plan featuring ad-free Hollywood content alongside ad-supported local-language programming and sports.

While select sports content, including ongoing IPL matches, and certain entertainment programs remain free with ads, the new ad-free plans encompass original series and movies such as "Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond" and "Murder In Mahim."

The ad-free experience extends to kids' and family entertainment, featuring popular titles like "Motu Patlu," "Shiva and Rudra," and content from Viacom18-owned local-language TV channels like Colors and Nickelodeon.

Moreover, JioCinema members gain early access to serials before they air on television, with over 20 TV channels from the Viacom18 Network available for streaming.

In a strategic move, JioCinema also offers international content through partnerships with Peacock, HBO, Paramount, and Warner Bros Discovery, presenting titles such as "Game Of Thrones" and "Oppenheimer" in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and Marathi without ads.

The introduction of JioCinema Premium significantly undercuts competitors' pricing. For instance, Netflix's premium plan costs ₹649 per month, while Disney+Hotstar's premium subscription is priced at ₹1,499 per year or ₹299 per month. Similarly, Amazon Prime Video offers its services bundled with Prime membership for ₹1,499 annually or ₹299 monthly, with a lower-priced Prime Lite option at ₹799 per year.

Kiran Mani, CEO of Viacom18 Digital, emphasized the aim to democratize premium entertainment access, offering 4K streaming, high-quality audio, offline viewing, and unrestricted device usage.

With growing consumer preference for ad-supported plans, the Indian streaming market is witnessing a shift towards hybrid models. Deloitte projects significant growth in both ad-free and ad-supported subscription revenues, highlighting the evolving landscape of OTT platforms.

The recent collaboration between Reliance Industries and The Walt Disney Co further underscores the consolidation trend in the industry, aiming to create a formidable media entity with substantial investments and synergies.