JioCinema is an Indian over-the-top media streaming service owned by Viacom18, which provides livestreaming as well as video on demand (VOD) based on advertisement (AVOD) and subscription (SVOD) models. It was originally launched on 5 September 2016 for users of Reliance's mobile provider, Jio. In April 2023, Viacom18 completed the scheme of a merger involving Reliance Storage, Bodhi Tree Systems, and Paramount Global, and, by August 2023, Voot's programming was merged with JioCinema's content library. JioCinema's content library includes films, television shows, web series, music videos, documentaries, and sports.
History
Jio era
JioCinema was launched on 5 September 2016 with the public launch of Jio along with other apps (JioTV, JioSaavn, JioNews, JioMart, JioMeet, JioChat, and JioTalks) owned by Jio Platforms.
With its launch in 2016, JioCinema provided aggregated content exclusively for Jio users with the JioCinema app. It was available only on the Google Play Store and the iOS App Store. A web version was also launched a year after the official launch. It was later available on the JioPhone.
In August 2019, Xiaomi, TCL, and on November 2019, Intex announced JioCinema app integration for their smart TVs.
Viacom18 era
In April 2022, Viacom18—a joint venture between Paramount Global and Jio's parent company Reliance Industries—announced that Qatar-backed Bodhi Tree Systems (founded by former Disney Asia-Pacific president Uday Shankar and former 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch) would make a major investment in the company with a focus on bolstering its streaming businesses. As part of the deal, JioCinema would be brought under Viacom18. In September 2022, the Competition Commission of India approved the transaction, which was completed in April 2023.
In October 2022, ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it was announced that Viacom18 sports content would move from their existing streaming platform Voot to JioCinema, with all World Cup matches streaming for free. The platform was made available to all users, including non-Jio users. Its coverage faced criticism from viewers on social media for initially having technical issues such as buffering; JioCinema stated that it would work to address these issues.
JioCinema launched a premium tier on 15 May 2023, anchored by a content agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery that saw rights to HBO and Max original productions move to JioCinema from its competitor, Disney+ Hotstar. JioCinema also announced an similar library agreement with NBCUniversal, including Universal Pictures, Universal Television, and Peacock productions.
Voot began to migrate its original productions to JioCinema in June 2023, including new seasons of Asur and Bigg Boss OTT. In August 2023, Voot was discontinued in favor of JioCinema, with JioCinema assuming its with existing Voot Select subscribers being migrated to JioCinema Premium.
Content
Current broadcasting rights
Indian Premier League (through 2027) India national cricket team (September 2023 to March 2028)
Past broadcasting rights
2022 FIFA World Cup
Current partners
JioCinema's current content partners include the following: Balaji Telefilms Eros Now NBCUniversal Paramount Global Shemaroo Entertainment
Warner Bros. Discovery
Past partners
Disney India
History
Since its launch, JioCinema has been a place with aggregated content from partners like ALTBalaji, Paramount Pictures, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Viacom18, Shemaroo Entertainment, Balaji Motion Pictures, Sun NXT, SonyLIV, and others. The content was exclusively available for Jio subscribers.
In December 2018, JioCinema partnered with Disney India to offer Disney content on the JioCinema app. Disney has withdrawn from this deal after the introduction of Disney+ Hotstar in India.
In December 2019, JioCinema partnered with Sun NXT to host over 4,000 films available on the Sun NXT platform across four Indian languages: Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. In May 2020, JioCinema partnered with Hoichoi to provide Hindi-dubbed Bengali content.
In May 2022, Paramount Global announced that Paramount+ would launch in India through Viacom18 in 2023.
In October 2022, ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it was announced that Viacom18 sports content would move from their existing streaming platform Voot to JioCinema, with all World Cup matches streaming for free. The platform was made available to all users, including non-Jio users.