New Delhi: The domain name JioHotstar.com has officially been transferred to Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, marking the conclusion of a unique saga that involved a Delhi-based app developer and two siblings from Dubai.
The domain was originally purchased by a Delhi-based app developer who foresaw a merger between JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, intending to capitalize on the anticipated new branding. However, after Reliance declined his offer to sell the domain for over Rs 1 crore, it was subsequently sold to Jainam and Jivika Jain, young siblings from Dubai. The Dubai-based siblings, known for their philanthropic efforts, had initially acquired the domain to support the educational aspirations of the original developer.
In a gesture of goodwill, the Jain siblings had expressed their willingness to transfer the domain to Reliance without any cost, emphasizing their non-commercial intentions. Now, the domain has officially been transferred to Viacom18, with WHOIS records updated to reflect the company as the new registrant.
While Reliance has not yet disclosed specific plans for utilizing the domain, the transfer marks the end of a period of legal and commercial contention surrounding the domain name. This development solidifies Viacom18’s control over a potentially valuable digital asset as the company continues its efforts in the digital media space.
