Dubai Siblings Gift ‘JioHotstar.com’ Domain to Reliance for Free, Ending Online Speculation

Dubai-based siblings Jainam and Jivika have decided to transfer the domain name jiohotstar.com to Reliance free of charge, putting an end to weeks of social media buzz about its ownership.

The Backstory:

The domain was originally registered by a Delhi-based app developer last year amid rumors of a potential merger between Reliance Jio and Disney Hotstar. Recently, after the two companies officially announced the merger of their media businesses, the developer offered to transfer the domain to Reliance in exchange for funding his studies at Cambridge University.

When Reliance reportedly declined the offer, the Dubai siblings purchased the domain. However, they have now announced their decision to transfer it to Reliance “purely out of kindness and goodwill.”

The Transfer Process:

The siblings shared an update on the website, confirming that Reliance’s legal team approached them, and they agreed to hand over the domain without any monetary deal. They clarified:

• There is “no pressure or payment involved.”
• The transfer is purely because they feel the domain could be useful for Reliance.

“We’ve received many offers for the domain, including some significant ones, but this was never about money. We’re simply handing it over to Reliance,” the siblings said, adding that the process will be finalized once the agreement is signed in Mumbai.

Closing Chapter:

The siblings announced, “Our journey with jiohotstar.com is coming to an end,” and are waiting for Reliance’s legal draft to complete the transfer.

The Bigger Picture:

This development comes shortly after Reliance completed the merger of its media businesses with Disney’s India operations, creating a ₹70,352 crore (USD 8.5 billion) joint venture. Led by Nita Ambani as chairperson, the entity is now one of India’s largest media and entertainment firms, with revenues of approximately ₹26,000 crore.

The Dubai siblings’ gesture has been praised as a move driven by goodwill, marking a unique end to the buzz around the domain.