Star India’s video streaming platform Hotstar has recently launched a new and cheaper subscription pack, ‘Hotstar VIP.’ The subscription charge of this new plan is Rs 365 per year. Just ahead of the IPL 2019 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Hotstar VIP has been launched.
In order to make the online streaming experience smoother and more convenient for the users, the platform will now allow the phone number logins. With this new plan, users will get to watch Star Network serials before the scheduled television timing and the best of live sporting action which includes, VIVO IPL 2019, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Premier League and much more.
However, the new pack will not have premium English content from the HBO, Disney or even 21st Century Fox.
“Hotstar VIP is aimed at providing users accessibility – be it with the introductory price or the ability to watch exclusive new shows in multiple regional languages. It is a value proposition built with the Indian audience at the heart of it,” said Varun Narang, chief product officer at Hotstar.
The launch of Hotstar VIP coincides with the release of the first Hotstar Special ‘Roar of the Lion’, a story on Chennai Super Kings’ comeback under the leadership of MS Dhoni.
Hotstar already has an annual ‘Hotstar Premium’ subscription plan at Rs 129 a month or Rs 999 per year, similar to that of Amazon Prime. It also had sports only pack for Rs 299 a year. According to the company, all the existing subscribers of Hotstar All Annual Sports plan will be automatically upgraded to Hotstar VIP service on a complimentary basis with no additional charge.
Interestingly, the company will allow customers to avail a ‘pay by cash’ option. Initially, the option will be tested where cash will be collected from the VIP subscribers within 48-72 hours of usage.
