Reliance’s entertainment arm has inked a deal with The Pokemon Company to feature children’s shows and movies on its JioCinema streaming app, sources familiar with the matter revealed. The agreement, signed this month, designates JioCinema as the “exclusive” India platform partner for over 1,000 episodes and approximately 20 movies from the Japanese anime series. The content will be dubbed into three Indian languages to enhance its appeal. The move is part of Reliance’s broader strategy to bolster its content offerings and compete with streaming rivals like Disney and others in the Indian market.
Viacom18, the entertainment joint-venture led by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, did not disclose financial details of the deal, and both Viacom18 and The Pokemon Company declined to comment. The addition of child-focused content is part of Ambani’s efforts to expand in the Indian streaming market, which is estimated to be worth $7 billion by 2027. JioCinema faces competition from platforms like Netflix and Amazon, with a recent focus on challenging Disney’s Hotstar app by offering free streaming of cricket matches.
In total, JioCinema is set to introduce around 3,000 hours of children’s content, including shows and movies from Entertainment One, Animaccord, Cartoon Network Studios, and DreamWorks. This content will be integrated through Viacom18’s existing deals or its other streaming app, Voot Kids. The partnership with The Pokemon Company is a significant move, expanding JioCinema’s offerings for younger audiences.
Earlier in the year, Viacom18 secured a deal with Warner Bros Discovery Inc., enhancing JioCinema’s content library with popular series such as “Succession” and “Game of Thrones.” The recent collaboration with The Pokemon Company signifies Reliance’s commitment to strengthening its position in the competitive Indian streaming landscape.
Note: NBCUniversal clarified that the inclusion of “kids and family programming,” including DreamWorks content, is part of a multi-year partnership with JioCinema announced in May.
