Ambani’s JioCinema Slashes Prices, Fueling the Fire in India’s Streaming Battle

JioCinema’s aggressive new pricing strategy as it lowers subscription costs to capture more of India’s booming streaming market. Offering plans from just 29 rupees a month, Reliance’s platform is setting the stage for a fierce battle with Netflix and Amazon Prime, while enriching its content with popular shows like “Succession” and “Harry Potter.”

JioCinema, operated by Reliance Industries in India, has dramatically reduced the cost of its premium streaming services to intensify competition with giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The service now offers a basic ad-free plan for 29 rupees (about $0.35) per month for single-device streaming, with a family option available for 89 rupees, allowing streaming on four devices simultaneously. Previously, the premium service was priced at 99 rupees per month (or 999 rupees annually) for up to four devices, and included advertisements.

The company, which has a big influence in India’s $28-billion media and entertainment industry with its Viacom18 unit and different TV channels, also assures that existing premium subscribers will automatically get upgraded to the family plan without any extra charges. This strategic price reduction follows JioCinema’s success in broadcasting the popular IPL cricket tournament for free. The revised prices apply only to premium content, with IPL matches and many shows remaining free to stream.

This move is part of a broader strategy by Mukesh Ambani, head of Reliance Industries, known for disrupting the market with competitively priced offers. The new pricing positions JioCinema favorably in the streaming market, especially following its deals to integrate Disney’s India TV and streaming assets and to host content from Warner Bros Discovery and NBCUniversal. JioCinema’s catalog includes acclaimed series like “Succession,” the “Harry Potter” series, and a wide range of children’s programming including “Pokemon.”

Also Read: Byeon Woo Seok Charms His Way Through ‘Lovely Runner’: A Fresh Take on Romantic Comedy