In a bid to recapture its subscriber base, Disney+ Hotstar has made a strategic move by announcing that it will provide free streaming of the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup through its mobile app. This bold move has set the stage for a fierce rivalry with its competitor, JioCinema, as both platforms vie for the attention of cricket enthusiasts.
The Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17, and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, set in India from October 5 to November 15, are anticipated to attract cricket fans from across the globe. By offering these major cricket tournaments for free, Disney+ Hotstar aims to regain its dwindling subscriber count.
The decline in Disney+ Hotstar’s userbase has been a cause for concern. Once the leading platform in terms of user numbers, the company saw a significant drop starting from March 2022. This decline translated into a substantial loss of $41.5 million for the company. Over the course of just ten months, between October and July of the same year, the user count plummeted by approximately 25 percent. This decline prompted Disney+ Hotstar to reevaluate its strategy and explore ways to return to profitability.
The absence of popular HBO shows was a significant factor contributing to Disney+ Hotstar’s downfall. Shows such as Game of Thrones, Succession, and the upcoming Harry Potter series, which were once available on the platform, shifted to JioCinema due to a partnership between Reliance Jio and Warner Bros Discovery. This resulted in a migration of subscribers to JioCinema.
Another critical factor that led to user attrition was the exclusivity of streaming Indian Premier League (IPL) matches for subscribers only. With the decision to stream major cricket tournaments for free, Disney+ Hotstar aims to draw back subscribers and reestablish its position in the streaming landscape.
Disney+ Hotstar’s initiative is backed by the belief that the number of viewers for cricket matches could reach an impressive 50 million. If this prediction comes to fruition, it would signify a 56 percent increase compared to the number of viewers who watched the IPL on JioCinema, highlighting the potential impact of this strategic move on the streaming competition.
The battle for subscribers and viewership is now set to intensify between Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema as they go head-to-head to capture the attention of cricket fans during these highly anticipated cricket tournaments.