In an intriguing turn of events amidst the recent merger between Disney+ Hotstar and Reliance’s Viacom18, a Delhi-based app developer has purchased the domain JioHotstar.com with hopes of selling it to Reliance for a substantial profit. This move reflects the developer’s foresight regarding the merger and his ambition to fund his education at Cambridge University.
The Clever Acquisition
The developer, who wishes to remain anonymous, acquired the domain in early 2023 after predicting that Disney+ Hotstar would likely merge with an Indian competitor due to declining user engagement. In a letter posted on the homepage of JioHotstar.com, he explained his rationale: “I came across a news piece stating that Disney+ Hotstar was losing daily active users after losing the IPL streaming license, and Disney was considering selling or merging Hotstar with an Indian competitor.”Recognizing that Viacom18 (owned by Reliance) was a major player with sufficient resources for such an acquisition, he speculated that if the merger occurred, the new entity might be branded as JioHotstar, similar to how Jio rebranded Saavn as JioSaavn after its acquisition.
The Proposal to Reliance
The developer has set a price of at least ₹1 crore for the domain, which he hopes will enable him to pursue his studies at Cambridge. In his open letter addressed to Reliance executives, he stated, “For a multi-billion dollar company like Reliance, this will be a minor expense, but for me, the sale of this domain would be truly life-changing.”The website currently features a simple message inviting Reliance to negotiate the purchase. He has provided an email address for official communication, emphasizing that he is serious about selling the domain.
Market Implications
The merger between Disney and Reliance is expected to reshape India’s media landscape significantly. With a projected value of $8.5 billion, this merger aims to consolidate content from both JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar under one platform. The potential rebranding as JioHotstar could make acquiring the domain an attractive proposition for Reliance.Historically, companies have been known to pay hefty sums for strategic domain names. For instance, Housing.com reportedly paid around $1 million for its domain, while Voice.com sold for a staggering $30 million in 2019. This context suggests that Reliance may consider purchasing JioHotstar.com as part of its broader branding strategy.
Conclusion
As the merger progresses and discussions around branding intensify, the Delhi-based developer’s initiative could lead to a significant financial windfall. His ability to predict industry trends not only showcases entrepreneurial foresight but also highlights the evolving dynamics of digital branding in India’s competitive media landscape. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on individual accounts and do not reflect any official stance from Reliance or Disney. Readers are encouraged to follow developments related to this story as negotiations unfold.
