Reliance Jio Infocomm announced the inclusion of Netflix subscriptions in its prepaid plans. The decision is poised to not only heighten competition within the Indian telecom industry but also offer Netflix an alternative revenue stream.
Netflix has reported revenue of $8.2 billion and operating profit of $1.8 billion during the second quarter of 2023.
As the telecommunications arm of Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, Jio revealed that its extensive base of approximately 400 million prepaid customers will now have the opportunity to access Netflix subscriptions via two distinct packages, both valid for up to 84 days.
Reliance Jio has reported revenue of Rs 24,127 crore and profit of Rs 4,863 crore during the April-June quarter of 2023.
The first package, priced at 1,099 Indian rupees (approximately $13.23), grants users access to Netflix through mobile platforms. The second option, priced at 1,499 Indian rupees, provides access to a basic package tailored for larger screens.
Competitors Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have been offering bundled plans with subscriptions to Disney+ Hotstar, a prominent rival to Netflix in the Indian streaming market.
Tony Zameczkowski, Vice President of APAC Partnerships for Netflix, remarked, “Partnership with Jio will give more customers access to this exciting line-up of Indian content as well as some incredible stories from around the world.”
This partnership emerges at a time when Netflix is exploring diversified revenue streams, a necessity given signs of market saturation in the United States. Netflix’s efforts to adapt include measures like limiting password sharing and introducing an ad-supported subscription tier.
In line with this trend, Disney+ Hotstar, which commanded a 38 percent share of viewership in India’s streaming market between January 2022 and March 2023, revealed plans to curb password sharing in the country earlier this year.
India’s streaming industry is flourishing, with popular platforms like Disney, Netflix, Amazon, and JioCinema contributing to its growth. Projections by Media Partners Asia estimate that the sector will burgeon into a $7 billion market by 2027.
In a prior move this July, Reliance Jio had announced the launch of a 4G-feature phone, demonstrating its commitment to expanding connectivity and tapping into markets that have yet to adopt smartphones.
