Video Lighting up Data and Smartphones, Says Hotstar; Big Growth in Users and Engagement

Video Lighting up Data and Smartphones, Says Hotstar; Big Growth in Users and Engagement Releases the 1st India Watch Report 2018 Mumbai, 22 February 2018: Releasing the first India Watch Report 2018, Hotstar, India’s leading premium streaming platform, today shared insights on the dramatic transformation sweeping the Internet landscape in India. In a first of its kind report for any streaming platform in the world, the service has disclosed usage patterns on its platform. The big news? Nearly 5 times growth in video consumption in the last 12 months, with 96 percent of all usage being focused on long form video. This marks an inflexion point in India where the early years of online video were characterized by short form consumption from users deeply fearful of data charges. The last 12 months have also seen access to data and consumption of video go deeper into inner India. The report shared that growth in smaller cities, less than 10 lakh in population, outstripped that in the large metros. And, while the gender gap in access to data persists, affordability is opening up new opportunities for women, with women in smaller cities coming online faster than in the metros. Speaking about the report, Ajit Mohan, CEO, Hotstar said, “A new generation of users are emerging in India who take for granted round the clock access to the best stories; who know that they can watch the best shows from around the world at the same time as the world (and sometimes way ahead of most of the world); who do not worry about being forced to skip their team’s weekend football games because they are not at home in front of their television; and who have the implicit faith that all breaking news will reach them without any effort on their part.” Other highlights from the report: · Streaming video has hit critical momentum. The Champion’s Trophy Final 2017 on Hotstar hit 4.8 million simultaneous viewers, a record! · Streaming habits have gone well beyond being ‘snacky’ time fillers. More and more users are treating the mobile as their first screen. · Streamers don’t follow stereotypes. Data reveals that consumption habits cut across stereotypes and traditional boundaries. 26% of Game of Thrones viewers also watched Hindi TV shows; 24% of Modern Family viewers watched cricket; and 50% of watch time of Star Plus’s show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, came from men. · While cricket still rules the roost, other sports are sprouting well. VIVO IPL consumption grew nearly 7 times between 2016 and 2017. However, VIVO Pro Kabbadi and Premier League also grew nearly 10 times. The complete report is available to view at indiawatchreport2018.hotstar.com About Hotstar: Hotstar is India’s largest premium streaming platform with more than 100,000 hours of drama and movies in 9 languages, and coverage of every major global sporting event. Launched in early 2015, it is one of India’s most downloaded apps and has attracted more than 350 million followers on the back of a highly evolved video streaming technology and high attention to quality of experience across devices and platforms. Hotstar has appropriated top spots on the Google Play Store as well as the Apple App Store, named among the most popular apps of 2017 on both platforms. Winner Global Technology Agency of the Year at the Global Sabre Awards 2015 • Winner B2B Agency of the Year at Marketing Agency of the Year Awards Hong Kong 2015 • Finalist Asia-Pacific Network of the Year at PRWeek Awards Asia 2015 • Winner Crisis or Issues Management Campaign of the Year at PRWeek Awards Asia 2015 • Winner Best LinkedIn Campaign, Asia Pacific In2 Awards 2015 • Winner India PR Agency of the year at the Indy’s Awards 2015 • Winner Best Consumer PR Campaign (Bronze) at the PR Awards 2015 South East Asia • Certificate of Excellence for B2B Marketing and Consumer Products & Services category at SABRE Awards South Asia 2015 • Winner Best Issues & Reputation Management Campaign at the Asia Pacific Excellence