Jio Platforms subsidiary Viacom18 has entered into a multi-year agreement with Warner Bros Discovery to secure exclusive streaming rights for HBO content, including TV series from HBO Original, Max Original and Warner Bros. The deal is set to bring thousands of hours of content to JioCinema, which has previously streamed the IPL cricket tournament for free on its platform. With this deal, JioCinema secures exclusive streaming right for popular HBO content, including Succession, Game of Dragons, Game of Thrones, and more in India.
This agreement marks a significant move for JioCinema, which has been making big moves to establish itself as a major streaming platform in India. The company has secured the rights to stream the IPL and announced plans to release 100 original web series and movies under the Jio banner for 2023-24. The addition of popular shows such as Succession, Game of Thrones, and the upcoming Harry Potter series to its content library through the partnership with Warner Bros is expected to be a big draw for Indian audiences who are avid consumers of Hollywood content.
The content deal with Warner Bros Discovery Inc is set to commence on May 1st, with TV series from HBO Original, Max Original and Warner Bros. premiering on JioCinema in India on the same day as the US release. This is a big deal since some HBO shows usually release months after the US release.
Clement Schwebig, President of India, Southeast Asia, and Korea at Warner Bros. Discovery, said in a statement, “This new agreement demonstrates our commitment to South Asia as we seek to entertain audiences across more platforms, and further strengthens the scale of our regional business as a whole.”
Ferzad Palia, Head of SVOD & International Business at Viacom18, also expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, “The strategic partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery is a big milestone in our journey to offer the best of Hollywood content to our elite consumers. We believe that Warner Bros. Discovery sets the global standards for premium content and this partnership allows us to create the best and the most comprehensive destination for our users.”
As this deal comes into effect, JioPlatfrom is expected to make several changes the way JioCinema currently functions. Earlier a Reddit user spotted a test JioCinema webpage that showcased three premium subscription plans – Gold, Daily, and Platinum. Although the company has not confirmed these plans yet, the website revealed that all the plans would offer the same content at the highest quality, i.e., 4K. “Watch all content, on any device, in the highest quality, on all JioCinema Premium plans”, the website reads.
JioCinema’s push to add more content to its streaming app has led to rumors that it is considering merging with Voot, another streaming app that focuses on streaming TV shows from Viacom 18, live news, and movies. Following this merger, JioCinema is speculated to be rebranded as JioVoot.
In fact, Jio platforms subsidiary Viacom18 recently won the IPL digital streaming rights from 2023 to 2027 for around $2.9 billion, a deal that Disney previously held. This move to secure streaming rights for popular HBO content is expected to be a big draw for Indian audiences who are avid consumers of Hollywood content. The exclusive partnership with Warner Bros would make JioCinema the go-to streaming platform for Indian audiences seeking the latest and greatest Hollywood content.
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