JioHotstar Advertising

Who watches JioHotstar?

JioHotstar reaches a very broad audience, from metro households watching on smart TVs to young viewers on phones in smaller towns. Live cricket pulls in mass audiences, while drama, reality shows and movies bring steady daily viewing.

The platform launched on 14 February 2025, bringing JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar together under JioStar. Reliance reported about 503 million monthly active users in March 2025, a month that included the Champions Trophy and the start of IPL. JioStar later reported 300 million paid subscriptions during IPL 2025. These figures are company-reported and peak around big sporting events, so plan with season in mind.

What content can you advertise against?

You can place ads around several content types. Each one suits a different goal.

What ad formats are available?

Most programmatic campaigns on JioHotstar use in-stream video. Pre-roll plays before a show or film starts, and mid-roll runs in the breaks during episodes, movies and live matches. On smart TVs these ads fill the whole screen. Some placements also carry display banners or in-player overlays.

Special formats such as branded slates, L-band overlays during live sport, and sponsorships are usually sold directly by the publisher. We can request them for larger budgets.

Ten-, 15- and 20-second spots work best for most brands. Keep a 10-second cut ready for live sport, where breaks are short.

When should you advertise on JioHotstar?

Timing matters more on JioHotstar than on most platforms, because big sporting events change both audience size and price.

The IPL, usually from March to May, brings the highest reach and the highest rates, so book early. International cricket gives strong reach on match days, and prices climb for India games. The festive season from September to November is crowded with retail, auto and consumer brands. In the quieter months, entertainment rates soften, which makes them a good time for always-on frequency.

How do you measure JioHotstar campaigns?

Measure delivery, attention and outcomes. A good report shows impressions, unique reach and average frequency, the video completion rate, and how delivery split across devices, languages and regions. Where the budget and setup qualify, add a brand lift study. Site visits and conversions can be tracked through Floodlight or other tags.

Completion rates on connected TV are typically strong because many ads are not skippable. Compare cost per completed view, not only CPM, when you judge JioHotstar against other video channels.

How does JioHotstar compare with other video platforms?

JioHotstar is the reach leader for premium Indian content, especially live sport. YouTube offers more targeting options and lower entry costs, but more of its content is user-generated. Other OTT apps such as ZEE5 and SonyLIV add reach in specific genres and languages.

Most brands use JioHotstar as the premium anchor of a video plan, then add YouTube and other OTT apps for extra reach and frequency. Ask for a free media plan to see how that mix works for your budget.

Tips for better results

Run language versions of your ad. A Tamil or Bengali cut nearly always does better in its own market than one Hindi or English film shown everywhere.

Plan reach across screens rather than picking one. Connected TV gives you impact in the living room, and mobile builds frequency during the rest of the day.

Book tentpoles early, because live sports inventory sells out fast. For awareness, three to five exposures a week is a sensible starting cap. And keep a sound-off version of the mobile creative, with clear text and the brand visible from the first second.