Reliance Jio, India’s leading telecom provider, has significantly reduced the number of prepaid plans offering a free Disney+ Hotstar subscription after a recent tariff hike on July 3rd, 2024. Previously, customers had access to eight different plans bundled with Disney+ Hotstar. Now, there’s just one.
This move comes as a surprise to many, especially those who relied on Jio for both data and access to Disney+ Hotstar’s vast library of movies, shows, and live sports, including the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
However, Jio appears to have quietly introduced a new prepaid plan – the Rs 949 option. This plan offers 2GB of daily data for 84 days, totaling 168GB. Additionally, it boasts Jio’s free unlimited 5G service, provided you’re in an eligible location and have a compatible handset.
Before the price hike, Jio’s Disney+ Hotstar bundled plans started at a budget-friendly Rs 328 and went all the way up to Rs 4,498. These plans offered various benefits, including validity periods ranging from monthly to annual, diverse data allowances, and even subscriptions to other streaming services. Notably, Jio also provided “unlimited true 5G” access to users who opted for plans without a daily data cap.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the now-discontinued Disney+ Hotstar bundled plans:
- Rs 328: Provided 1.5GB daily data (42GB total), unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day, and a 3-month Disney+ Hotstar Mobile subscription.
- Rs 388: Offered 2GB daily data (56GB total), unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS, and a 3-month Disney+ Hotstar Mobile subscription.
- Rs 598: This plan included 2GB daily data (56GB total), unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS, a 1-year Disney+ Hotstar Mobile subscription, and access to Jio’s entertainment apps.
- Higher-tier plans (Rs 758, Rs 808, Rs 1,198): Offered varying data allowances, validity periods, bundled subscriptions to other streaming services alongside Disney+ Hotstar, and access to JioTV.
- Annual plans (Rs 3,178, Rs 4,498): Provided a year’s worth of data, unlimited calls, SMS, and subscriptions to Disney+ Hotstar, Prime Video Mobile Edition, JioCinema Premium, and a bouquet of other entertainment apps.
The absence of these plans leaves a gap for budget-conscious users who valued Disney+ Hotstar access. While the new Rs 949 plan offers a decent data allowance and 5G access, it might not be suitable for everyone.
Customers who are no longer happy with the revised plan options can still subscribe to Disney+ Hotstar separately. This could be a more cost-effective solution for those on a tighter budget or who don’t require a full year’s subscription.
