⚡ Quick answer
No, JioHotstar is not available in the USA, and no US launch date has been announced. Many Hotstar originals and Star TV serials stream on Hulu in the US instead, through its Hotstar hub. JioHotstar launched outside India only in the UK, Canada and Singapore (September 2026) and in the Middle East and North Africa via Starzplay (October 2026).
If you’ve tried opening JioHotstar from New Jersey or Texas and hit an error screen, you’re not alone. India’s biggest streaming service has gone global this year, just not to America. Here’s why, what you can legally watch instead, and the shows that still slip through the cracks.
Is JioHotstar available in the USA?
No. JioHotstar is not sold in the United States, and JioStar hasn’t announced a US launch. The app still appears in the US App Store and on Google Play, which confuses a lot of people, but the Indian catalog only plays on an Indian connection, and signing up needs an Indian phone number.
Where did JioHotstar launch outside India?
JioHotstar was formed when JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar merged in India in February 2025. Its first international rollout came in 2026:
| Date | Markets | How it’s sold |
|---|---|---|
| September 2, 2026 | United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore | Standalone JioHotstar app, replacing the old Hotstar apps |
| October 6, 2026 | Middle East and North Africa | A section inside the Starzplay app |
The overseas version focuses on entertainment and leaves out sports. In Canada it costs CA$19.99 a quarter or CA$49.99 a year, and in the UK £19.99 a quarter or £69.99 a year. None of those plans can be bought from the US.
Why isn’t JioHotstar in the US?
JioStar hasn’t explained, but the likely reason is an older deal. Before the merger, Disney owned Hotstar, and in the US it moved Hotstar’s movies and shows onto Hulu rather than running a separate app. That arrangement is still in place, so a US launch would compete with content already on Hulu. For now, Hulu remains the official US home for much of the Hotstar library.
How to watch JioHotstar shows in the US legally
Your best option is Hulu’s Hotstar hub. It carries many Hotstar Specials (JioHotstar’s originals), select blockbuster films and Star TV serials in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and Marathi. To find them, open Hubs in the Hulu menu and choose Hotstar, or search for “hotstar” or the show’s name.
Hotstar content comes with Hulu’s regular plans, so there’s no separate Hotstar fee. Hulu is also sold in bundles with Disney+; prices changed in October 2026, so check Hulu’s plans page for today’s rates.
Which JioHotstar titles are not on Hulu?
Not everything makes the jump, and that’s where US viewers get stuck. When Prabhas’s The Raja Saab premiered on JioHotstar in February 2026, overseas fans found it wasn’t available in the US at all. Big films bought for JioHotstar’s India catalog, live reality shows such as Bigg Boss, and sports are the usual gaps.
Ramayana is the next one to watch: in India it’s headed to JioHotstar as pay-per-view, and no US streaming home has been announced. We cover it in Ramayana in the USA.
Can you use a VPN to watch JioHotstar in the USA?
Plenty of sites will tell you to, usually next to an affiliate link. Before you pay, know that JioStar’s terms don’t allow viewers to hide their location, and its help center says plans bought in India are meant for use in India. Accounts also need an Indian phone number, and streams often fail on smart TVs. We only recommend legal options, so for most shows the honest answer is: check Hulu first.
What about new Hotstar Specials like Student of the Year: After Dark?
New Hotstar Specials such as Student of the Year: After Dark, which premiered in India on November 13, are the kind of title Hulu’s hub is built for, but timing and availability vary by show. Search Hulu for the title on release day. If it’s not there, it may arrive later or not at all. We track US availability on our Watch in the USA page.
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Frequently asked questions
Is JioHotstar available in the USA?
No. JioHotstar is not sold in the US and no US launch date has been announced. In the US, many Hotstar shows and films stream on Hulu instead.
Which countries is JioHotstar available in?
Outside India, JioHotstar launched in the UK, Canada and Singapore on September 2, 2026, and in the Middle East and North Africa through Starzplay on October 6, 2026.
Where can I watch Hotstar shows in the US?
On Hulu. Its Hotstar hub carries Hotstar Specials, select films and Star TV serials in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and Marathi.
Can I use my Indian JioHotstar account in the US?
JioStar says plans bought in India are meant for use in India, and its terms don’t allow viewers to hide their location, so an Indian account is not a reliable way to watch from the US.
Is every JioHotstar show on Hulu?
No. Some films and shows, such as The Raja Saab, have not been available in the US. Live reality shows and sports are also usually missing.
Will JioHotstar launch in the USA?
JioStar has not announced any US launch. Hulu remains the official US home for much of the Hotstar library.
