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JioCinema, Reliance's entertainment arm, has signed a big deal with The Pokemon Company to display its catalogue of children's programming and films on the streaming platform. This move is part of Reliance's goal to expand its content offerings in the face of tough competition in India's streaming market, particularly from rivals such as Disney and other streaming providers.
JioCinema, Reliance's entertainment arm, has signed a big deal with The Pokemon Company to display its catalogue of children's programming and films on the streaming platform. This move is part of Reliance's goal to expand its content offerings in the face of tough competition in India's streaming market, particularly from rivals such as Disney and other streaming providers. The exclusive agreement, which was finalised this month, makes JioCinema the major India-based outlet for over 1,000 episodes and around 20 films from the well-known Japanese anime series. To reach a wider audience, these offers will be localised through dubbing in three Indian languages. Pokemon, a worldwide recognised franchise spanning multiple media formats, is expected to dramatically expand JioCinema's content library.
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Neither Viacom18, Mukesh Ambani's entertainment joint venture that handles JioCinema, nor The Pokemon Company, which is linked with Nintendo, has commented on the arrangement or released financial information.
This move is consistent with Ambani's overarching aim to increase Reliance's footprint in India's expanding streaming business, which is expected to be worth $7 billion by 2027, according to Media Partners Asia. JioCinema competes with established platforms such as Netflix and Amazon, with new emphasis on competing with Disney's Hotstar app by delivering free cricket streaming.
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Aside from the Pokemon collaboration, JioCinema plans to launch roughly 3,000 hours of children's content from companies such as Entertainment One, Animaccord, Cartoon Network Studios, and DreamWorks. These additions will either derive from current Viacom18 arrangements or combine with the company's other streaming service, Voot Kids, which has since been cancelled. This collaboration represents a considerable extension over previous Pokemon material on Voot, highlighting the scope of the new alliance.
NBCUniversal, Entertainment One, Animaccord, Cartoon Network Studios, and Warner Bros Discovery Inc. did not provide official statements despite demands for them.The move underscores Reliance's ongoing efforts to diversify its streaming content, which have recently been highlighted by agreements with prominent entities and a strategic focus on family-oriented and international programming, such as the partnership announced in April with Warner Bros Discovery Inc., which promises renowned series such as "Succession" and "Game of Thrones" on JioCinema.
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