Viacom18 Acquires JioHotstar.com Domain After Ownership Disputes

Viacom18, owned by Mukesh Ambani, has officially acquired the domain JioHotstar.com, bringing an end to a series of ownership disputes. The domain, now under the control of Viacom18 Media, became a topic of contention when a Delhi-based app developer initially claimed ownership and offered it to Reliance Industries in exchange for funding his education. Later, the domain was acquired by Dubai-based siblings Jainam and Jivika, who offered it to Reliance for free, expressing their intention to support the merger between Reliance Jio and Disney+ Hotstar.

The dispute began as the website jiohotstar.com became a central point in the discussions surrounding the merger of Reliance Jio and Disney+ Hotstar. The merger, worth a massive Rs 70,352-crore, integrated Viacom18’s media business with Star India. This included Viacom18's TV and digital assets, as well as JioCinema’s integration into Star India, which helped streamline operations and create a unified platform.

The domain JioHotstar.com, which was initially a concern for the parties involved in the merger, has now been settled. According to WHOIS data, the domain was registered under Viacom18 on September 20, 2023, confirming the company's ownership. The domain registration is valid until September 20, 2026, and the latest update was made on December 2, 2024. The registrant, Manish Painuly, a representative of Viacom18, is listed as the technical contact for the domain.

While the ownership dispute was being resolved, a new domain, Jiostar.com, emerged with a “coming soon” message. This adds an interesting twist to the ongoing development, as the new site could potentially become part of Viacom18's evolving digital presence. Despite the disputes over the domain, Viacom18's final acquisition brings clarity to the matter and allows for smoother operations in the merged company.

This acquisition marks a significant step in Viacom18's expansion and further integration of its media assets, strengthening its position in the competitive digital entertainment industry. With the backing of Reliance Industries, Viacom18 now holds the key domain that could be a cornerstone in its digital business strategy. The JioHotstar brand, with its wealth of content and large user base, will continue to expand as part of the newly merged entity.

The resolution of this domain dispute shows how valuable online real estate has become for major companies, especially in the age of digital and streaming services. Viacom18’s ownership of JioHotstar.com not only strengthens its brand but also reflects the growing importance of digital assets in the media landscape. As the company moves forward, it will likely leverage the domain to enhance its streaming services and online offerings.