ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

Indian streaming platform JioHotstar has entered the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market through a partnership with Abu Dhabi-headquartered STARZPLAY, offering Indian films, television shows and original productions in several languages, a statement said.

The partnership provides a dedicated JioHotstar section within the STARZPLAY app and website, giving viewers across the region access to content in Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Bangla, and other Indian languages.

The service became available on October 7, according to the statement issued on Sunday. The launch follows JioHotstar's recent expansion into the UK, Canada, and Singapore.

The offering includes Malayalam originals such as Prince of Mollywood, Cousins & Kalyanam, Kerala Crime Files, 1000 Babies and Roslin, alongside films including Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, Drishyam, Moonwalk and Thudarum.

Other Hotstar specials include Part Timers, Kappi Squad, The Court, Pritam & Pedro and Ali Baba Aur Chaalis Bhoot. New JioHotstar Originals will also premiere in the region alongside their release in India.

The statement also highlighted original series such as Asur, Chiraiya, Special Ops and Criminal Justice, as well as films including Welcome to the Jungle, Chand Mera Dil, Kesari Chapter 2, Super 30 and ARM.

The entertainment offering includes a new season of Koffee with Karan, the reality show Bigg Boss across Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, and Bangla, and Anil Kapoor's new game show India Ka Top 1 Percent.

Other reality programmes include Khatron Ke Khiladi and Laughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment.

Viewers will also be able to watch programmes from JioStar television channels at the same time as their broadcast in India, including Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Anupamaa, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, and Sayonee.

The content library will offer subtitles and dubbing in more than 12 languages, the statement said.

The JioHotstar offering is available through STARZPLAY's PLUS subscription plan, priced at Dh34.99 per month. The MAX plan, priced at Dh49.99 per month, combines JioHotstar entertainment with STARZPLAY's sports portfolio, including cricket, and other sporting events.

Amit Malhotra, Head of International Business at JioStar, said the partnership would bring Indian and international entertainment together on a single platform.

“Our partnership with STARZPLAY brings together a shared ambition to redefine what a modern entertainment platform can be. Through this partnership, we are creating a premier destination where audiences can discover the best in sports, Indian and global entertainment,” Malhotra said.

He said JioStar's approach was to offer audiences a wider choice of content rather than separating entertainment by geography or language.

“Our belief at JioStar has always been that the future of streaming isn't about forcing a choice between local, regional, Indian or global content — it is about bringing the world closer together,” he said.

“JioHotstar's arrival in the Middle East and North Africa is a significant step in that direction. Dubai and the wider Gulf sit at the heart of our international ambitions and together with STARZPLAY we are reimagining how cross-border entertainment connects audiences, culture and communities,” Malhotra added.

Maaz Sheikh, CEO of STARZPLAY, said the partnership was aimed at bringing different entertainment offerings together as streaming services compete for audiences across the region.

“The next phase of streaming growth in MENA will be shaped by platforms that bring the right brands together and make the viewing experience more valuable. Audiences should not have to navigate an increasingly fragmented market to find the entertainment that matters to them,” Sheikh said.

“Bringing JioHotstar to STARZPLAY is a strategic investment in that future, combining the strength of India's storytelling with our understanding of this region and the audiences we serve,” he added.

Sheikh said cricket had helped STARZPLAY build a relationship with South Asian viewers across the region and the new partnership would extend that relationship to films and daily entertainment.

“Cricket has given STARZPLAY a strong and lasting relationship with South Asian audiences across the region. JioHotstar allows us to extend that relationship beyond the match and into the entertainment households return to every day. Our ambition is to make STARZPLAY the destination where every member of the family finds something they value,” he said.

The launch was marked by a projection featuring JioHotstar and STARZPLAY on Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the statement said.

STARZPLAY, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, has 2.3 million subscribers and more than 18 million app downloads, according to the statement. Its investors include evision, part of e& Group, ADQ, Lionsgate, GE and SEQ.

JioHotstar has 500 million monthly active users and a library of more than 300,000 hours of programming across 19 languages. Its content includes films, original productions, live sports, entertainment programmes and television shows from more than 100 channels in the JioStar network.