Disney and Reliance’s $8.5B JioStar hits 300M subscribers with AI features

Disney CEO Bob Iger joined Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani at the company’s annual general meeting in Mumbai to celebrate the rapid success of JioStar, their joint venture that has emerged as a dominant force in India’s media landscape with nearly 300 million paid subscribers. The appearance comes as Ambani unveiled major AI partnerships with Google and Meta, signaling Reliance’s broader ambition to democratize artificial intelligence across India’s enterprise sector.

The big picture: The Reliance-Disney media merger, completed last year and valued at $8.5 billion, has created an Indian entertainment powerhouse that now commands significant market share across streaming and television.

• JioHotstar launched with 600 million users within three months, including 300 million paying subscribers, making it the world’s second-largest streaming platform built entirely in India.
• The platform offers more than 320,000 hours of content—six times more than its closest rivals—while Reliance holds a 34% share of the television market, equal to the next three networks combined.

AI-driven features: JioHotstar is rolling out several artificial intelligence-powered tools to enhance user experience and content localization.

• RIYA provides voice-enabled search capabilities across the platform’s vast content library.
• Voice Print uses AI voice cloning and lip-sync technology to localize international shows and films for Indian audiences.
• JioLenZ offers customizable viewing modes tailored to individual user preferences.
• MaxView 3.0 transforms how fans watch cricket matches with multiple camera angles, instant highlights, and interactive scorecards.

Google Cloud partnership: Reliance and Google will establish a dedicated AI cloud region in Jamnagar, powered by Reliance’s renewable energy infrastructure and Jio’s network capabilities.

• The collaboration aims to “democratize intelligence for every Indian,” building on their previous work to expand internet access across the country.
• Google CEO Sundar Pichai noted: “Our work together over the last decade has helped bring affordable internet access to millions. And now, we are building on this to help shape the next leap with AI.”

Meta joint venture: Reliance formed a $100 million joint venture with Meta to develop Llama-based enterprise AI solutions for India and select international markets.

• The partnership will focus on creating “enterprise-grade AI for every Indian organization—from ambitious SMBs to blue-chip corporates,” according to Ambani.
• Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated: “Through this joint venture, we’re putting Meta’s Llama models into real-world use, and I’m looking forward to Meta expanding its footprint in the enterprise space as we unlock new possibilities together.”

What they’re saying: Disney’s Iger praised the strategic value of combining complementary strengths in the Indian market.

• “By bringing together Reliance’s digital reach, execution, and understanding of the Indian consumer, combined with Disney’s rich library of world-class storytelling and beloved IP, JioStar has quickly established itself as a global force in media and entertainment,” Iger said.

Why this matters: The announcements position Reliance as a key player in India’s AI transformation while demonstrating how global tech partnerships can accelerate enterprise AI adoption in emerging markets, potentially creating a blueprint for AI democratization in other developing economies.