JioHotstar MENA Launch 2026: Plans, Pricing, Language Options and Sports Bundle

Overview of JioHotstar’s MENA entry

On 6 October 2026, Reliance‑backed JioHotstar announced a partnership with Starzplay to enter the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The launch follows earlier roll‑outs in the U.K., Canada and Singapore and is aimed at the large South‑Asian diaspora living in MENA.[1][2]

The service was unveiled at a CabSat event and a ceremony at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.[2]

JioHotstar reports more than 500 million monthly active users globally, while Starzplay counts over 2.3 million subscribers in the MENA region.[1][2]

Pricing and subscription plans

PLUS plan

The JioHotstar library is accessible through Starzplay’s PLUS plan at AED 34.99 per month (about US$9.50), which gives viewers access to Indian films, TV shows, originals and reality franchises with audio tracks in up to 10 languages.[1]

MAX plan

For users who also want sports, the MAX plan costs AED 49.99 per month (about US$13.60) and bundles the full JioHotstar entertainment offering with Starzplay’s sports portfolio, including cricket.[1]

Content library and language support

The catalogue spans Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Bangla and other languages, with a substantial Malayalam selection reflecting the sizable Malayali audience in MENA. New JioHotstar originals premiere simultaneously with their India release, and audio tracks are offered in up to 10 languages. Popular titles include “Bigg Boss” and “Koffee with Karan”.[2]

Sports bundle and cricket focus

Although JioHotstar’s own Indian sports offering is not available in MENA, the MAX plan incorporates Starzplay’s sports content, leveraging the platform’s strong cricket presence in the region. This creates a combined entertainment and sports destination for households.[2]

Target audience and strategic rationale

The partnership targets the large South‑Asian diaspora in MENA, aiming to capture multilingual viewers and leverage Starzplay’s existing cricket audience. Executives describe the move as a strategic step toward building JioHotstar into a truly global streaming platform.[1][2]