The JioHotstar MENA launch brings multilingual Indian entertainment, originals, reality shows and television to STARZPLAY audiences across the region.
DUBAI: JioHotstar has officially entered the Middle East and North Africa through a partnership with STARZPLAY, giving audiences across the region a new destination for Indian entertainment. The JioHotstar MENA launch, announced on October 7, 2026, brings films, original series, reality programmes and television shows together within the STARZPLAY app and website.
The move follows JioHotstar’s recent international expansion into the UK, Canada and Singapore and places a strong focus on MENA’s large South Asian community.
Multilingual content for South Asian audiences
Viewers will have access to content across Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Bangla and other languages. The line-up includes Malayalam originals such as Prince of Mollywood, Kerala Crime Files, 1000 Babies and Roslin, along with films including Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, Drishyam, Moonwalk and Thudarum.
The wider library also includes acclaimed titles such as Asur, Special Ops and Criminal Justice, alongside films and popular Indian television programming.
Reality shows and Indian television join the line-up
Reality entertainment will be a major part of the offering. Koffee with Karan is set to return with a new season, while Bigg Boss will be available across several Indian languages.
Other programmes include Khatron Ke Khiladi, Laughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment and Anil Kapoor’s game show India Ka Top 1 Percent.
Popular television series including Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Anupamaa and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai will also be available to regional viewers, with selected programming offered at the same time as its broadcast in India.
JioHotstar STARZPLAY subscription prices
The JioHotstar MENA launch is available through STARZPLAY’s PLUS subscription at AED 34.99 per month.
The MAX plan costs AED 49.99 per month and combines the JioHotstar entertainment catalogue with STARZPLAY’s sports offering.
The partnership is designed to build on STARZPLAY’s existing relationship with South Asian viewers, particularly through cricket, while expanding its everyday entertainment catalogue.
More language options for MENA households
Content will feature subtitles and dubbing across more than 12 languages, reflecting the multilingual nature of households across the Middle East and North Africa.
The broader language offering is aimed at making Indian films, series and television more accessible to viewers from different communities across the region.
Burj Khalifa marks the regional launch
The launch was also marked in Dubai with a projection on the Burj Khalifa, where JioHotstar and STARZPLAY branding illuminated the landmark to celebrate the streaming platform’s regional arrival.
The activation highlighted Dubai’s role in JioHotstar’s wider international expansion and the Gulf’s importance to the platform’s global ambitions.
Impact to expect
The JioHotstar MENA launch could intensify competition among regional streaming platforms while giving South Asian households easier access to Indian entertainment, television and reality programming through one existing MENA subscription service.
