Disney+ Hotstar’s Kabaddi Revolution: Transforming Indigenous Sports into a Streaming Powerhouse
Newsletter #2 on Indian Sports Streaming with Disney+ Hotstar, the Pro Kabaddi League and more
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Loco’s Leap to Global Gaming: UAE-Based Redwood Acquires India’s Leading Game Streaming Platform
Overview of the Acquisition
India’s top live game-streaming platform, Loco, has been acquired by UAE-based investment firm Redwood for $65 million, securing a significant exit for the gaming and streaming industry. Redwood’s majority stake in Loco allows all previous investors to exit while positioning the platform for global expansion. This acquisition is a testament to the thriving potential of exits within the gaming and streaming sectors, especially for Indian scale-ups with aspirations for international reach.
Valuation Insights and Market Positioning
The deal reflects a recalibrated valuation for Loco from its 2022 peak of $145 million. Still, Loco remains a central player in India’s dynamic gaming ecosystem, engaging communities around popular games like BGMI, Free Fire, Valorant, and GTA. Known as India’s answer to Twitch, Loco offers a dedicated space where fans can follow, support, and interact with favorite streamers, cementing its role in India’s growing gaming culture.
Primary and Secondary Infusion for Expansion
The acquisition, a mix of primary and secondary investments, brings fresh capital to Loco’s operations, setting the stage for expansion into new markets over the next 12 months. Founders Anirudh Pandita and Ashwin Suresh see this investment as validation for the hard work that has gone into positioning Loco at the heart of global gaming culture. They aim to put the fan experience first by leveraging livestreaming’s unique capacity to create real-time connections.
Strategic Expansion Plans
With Redwood’s backing, Loco is set to announce new partnerships with major gaming companies, esports athletes, and global streamers. Building on relationships with prominent publishers like Krafton, Activision, Ubisoft, and Riot Games, Loco’s growth strategy includes extending its content portfolio with high-profile alliances and enhancing its global appeal.
Recent History and Key Partnerships
Since its founding in 2017, Loco has rapidly scaled, attracting partnerships with the NBA and FIFAe, signaling the platform’s broad appeal. In 2022, Loco raised $42 million in Series A funding from backers like Hashed, Krafton, and gaming-focused VC Lumikai. It also restructured its team, focusing on transaction-based monetization and leaner operations.
What’s Next for India’s Gaming Community?
Loco’s acquisition signals a new era for India’s gaming ecosystem, affirming that exits in gaming and streaming are very much alive, particularly for Indian platforms with global ambitions. This milestone acquisition sets the stage for Indian gaming scale-ups to capture the attention of international audiences and investors alike.
Agenda
Disney+ Hotstar: The OG of Sports ‘live-streaming’ in India
Pro Kabaddi League - Disney+ Hotstar’s Crown Jewel in Indigenous Sports Streaming
And….Action!
Disney+ Hotstar Sports: The OG of Sports ‘live-streaming’ in India
Disney+ Hotstar has solidified itself as the go-to sports streaming platform for India, delivering a wide array of sports content and unique live-streaming experiences that cater to fans of both mainstream and emerging sports. As Reliance recently opted to unify JioCinema with the Disney+ Hotstar platform (to be called JioHotstar), it’s clear that this platform’s superior tech infrastructure, content library, and engagement capabilities have set a high standard.
Here’s an in-depth look at what makes Disney+ Hotstar a powerhouse in the sports streaming space:
Key Sports Offerings and Impact
Pro Kabaddi League (PKL)
One of the most prominent sports leagues on Disney+ Hotstar, the Pro Kabaddi League, now in its 11th season, has redefined how India engages with the sport. Backed by Disney Star and Mashal Sports, PKL showcases Disney+ Hotstar’s dedication to supporting India’s indigenous sports, making kabaddi not only a popular viewing choice but also a viable career path for young talent. This year, PKL earned the 'Best Sports League of the Year' award at the CII Sports Business Awards 2024, underscoring its impact on India’s sports culture. The PKL’s model also exemplifies how sports leagues, backed by a major media company, can generate substantial revenue streams and broaden grassroots interest in sports.Cricket
Disney+ Hotstar has secured its reputation as a leader in streaming cricket, providing exclusive access to the upcoming India vs. Australia series starting November 22, a much-anticipated rivalry. The platform has also successfully covered other international and domestic cricket events, including the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup ‘24. By positioning cricket alongside a variety of other sports, Disney+ Hotstar taps into the national fervor while diversifying its sports offering.Premier League and International Leagues
For fans of global sports, Disney+ Hotstar offers comprehensive coverage of the Premier League, including marquee matches like Manchester United vs. Chelsea, as well as the Women’s Big Bash League and Major League Baseball. The mix of international sports on Disney+ Hotstar’s platform illustrates its commitment to providing Indian viewers with access to world-class sports leagues, allowing fans to follow favorite teams and events across time zones.Emerging Sports and Exclusive Events
Going beyond traditional sports, Disney+ Hotstar’s catalog includes innovative and emerging sports events like Matrix Fight Night and the Superleague Kerala. This diversified content lineup highlights Disney+ Hotstar’s strategy to cultivate a dedicated fanbase across multiple sports categories, appealing to audiences who crave a broader variety of athletic entertainment.
Technological Edge: Seamless Streaming on Any Connection
Disney+ Hotstar’s tech infrastructure is recognized as one of the most robust in India, often loading faster and with lower latency than comparable apps, even under data-roaming conditions with VPN. This streamlined user experience ensures fans can watch live sports without interruptions, an essential quality for real-time sports streaming that often comes with high concurrency. This technical reliability, paired with an ad-supported model and immersive viewing experience, makes Disney+ Hotstar an attractive choice for viewers and advertisers alike.
Looking Forward: Upcoming Events and Expansions
As Disney+ Hotstar gears up to stream the IPL 2025, the platform’s sports section is packed with upcoming events that cater to every kind of sports fan. From the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup to Wimbledon and local favorites like Pro Kabaddi and the Superleague Kerala, Disney+ Hotstar continues to elevate its offerings with exclusive access to premier tournaments and events. This expanded lineup not only positions Disney+ Hotstar as a leader in India’s sports streaming space but also provides a template for how media companies can transform sports through innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and an expansive, user-friendly digital platform.
The Gold Standard for Indian Streaming
Disney+ Hotstar exemplifies how a streaming platform can go beyond broadcasting to actively shape sports culture. By building a diverse catalog of both mainstream and emerging sports, investing in rapid-loading, reliable technology, and leveraging out-of-the-box thinking to create new leagues, Disney+ Hotstar stands out as a fundamental driver in India’s digital sports evolution. This combination of visionary content, technological excellence, and strategic sports investment positions Disney+ Hotstar as not just a streaming platform but a pivotal player in India’s journey to becoming a global sports powerhouse.
Pro Kabaddi League - Disney+ Hotstar’s Crown Jewel in Indigenous Sports Streaming
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has evolved from a hopeful experiment into a highly popular, impactful sports league and a flagship feature of Disney+ Hotstar’s sports streaming offerings. Here’s an in-depth look at the PKL's journey, cultural relevance, and business significance for the platform.
Origins and Rise of PKL: A Cultural Phenomenon
Launched in 2014, PKL was initially met with skepticism. Some doubted its viability, noting that previous attempts to replicate the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) franchise model had fallen short, especially for lesser-known sports. However, PKL succeeded by recognizing kabaddi’s deep roots in Indian communities. Historically played in schools and local tournaments, kabaddi’s appeal bridged rural and urban India, creating a built-in audience across socioeconomic divides.
In its first season alone, PKL attracted 435 million viewers, an extraordinary figure that came second only to the IPL that year. The inaugural final match between Jaipur Pink Panthers and U Mumba saw an impressive 86.4 million viewers, underscoring kabaddi’s unexpected resonance on a national scale. This strong debut demonstrated that, with a franchise-based model and high-quality production, kabaddi could capture the imagination of India and deliver major viewership.
PKL’s Format and Franchise Model: Building a Loyal Fan Base
Modeled after the IPL, PKL’s franchise-based structure has attracted both fans and investors. Teams initially paid up to $250,000 in franchise fees, giving them stakes in kabaddi’s growing cultural capital. As viewership grew, so did the league’s scale; by 2017, PKL expanded to 12 teams, enhancing the competition and creating regional rivalries that boosted local support and fan engagement.
Over the seasons, PKL has experimented with its format, moving to a two-zone structure in 2017 before returning to a double round-robin format. This structure, paired with regular playoffs, intensifies competition and builds excitement as teams vie for a limited number of playoff spots. With franchise teams like Patna Pirates, Jaipur Pink Panthers, and Puneri Paltan cultivating local fanbases and winning multiple titles, PKL has built a network of loyal supporters who are invested in their teams’ performances season after season.
Disney+ Hotstar’s Role in Amplifying PKL
Disney+ Hotstar has been integral in transforming PKL into a major sports league. Star Sports’ acquisition of a 74% stake in PKL’s parent company, Mashal Sports, ensured robust financial and infrastructural backing, allowing for a seamless broadcast experience across India. Disney+ Hotstar’s streaming platform allows fans to watch PKL matches in high quality and interact through the platform’s real-time engagement features, ensuring an immersive fan experience.
With its low-latency, high-concurrency technology, Disney+ Hotstar brings PKL matches to millions of viewers across India. Unlike other platforms, Disney+ Hotstar’s robust tech infrastructure maintains quality streams, even for users on roaming networks, which is essential given the high-energy nature of kabaddi. This reliability enhances fan satisfaction and fosters a seamless connection to PKL’s events, ensuring audiences can watch every tackle and raid without disruption.
Cultural Significance: Kabaddi as a Symbol of National Pride
Kabaddi is more than just a sport; it is a cultural expression that resonates deeply with Indians. The PKL has played a transformative role in elevating kabaddi’s status from a grassroots pastime to a professional, highly respected sport.
Disney+ Hotstar’s commitment to showcasing PKL has also allowed kabaddi to reach international audiences, contributing to the league’s growing popularity and enhancing India’s sports portfolio on a global stage. By providing a digital platform that enables widespread access, Disney+ Hotstar ensures that kabaddi is appreciated by viewers in cities and villages alike, fostering a shared cultural experience.
Business Model and Revenue Generation: A Blueprint for Indigenous Sports
PKL’s success is a testament to the revenue potential for indigenous sports leagues when supported by a dedicated streaming platform. By backing PKL, Disney+ Hotstar not only generates advertising revenue but also builds a pipeline of loyal viewers who tune in season after season. PKL’s popularity offers advertisers access to a wide demographic that is typically underrepresented in mainstream sports, from rural audiences to young urban viewers.
The league’s use of awards like MVP, Best Raider, and Best Defender also draws attention to individual players, making the sport more personal for fans and helping to build viewer loyalty. These awards enhance the competitive nature of the league, encouraging fans to root for their favorite players and adding a human element that enriches the viewing experience.
Media Tech’s role in nurturing National Sports
Disney+ Hotstar’s role in the growth of the Pro Kabaddi League is a blueprint for how streaming platforms can foster and commercialize indigenous sports. By leveraging robust tech infrastructure, supporting a well-organized league structure, and tapping into kabaddi’s cultural resonance, Disney+ Hotstar has created a streaming experience that engages fans across India and beyond.
This has been our go to binge watch off late on Netflix - The Great Indian Kapil Show showcases some serious comedic talent in the form of Krushna Abhishek, Sunil Grover and of course Kapil himself. Every week various stars from Bollywood grace the show to promote their next film releases (similar to The Tonight Show concepts in the US) however the next Kapil show (there is a new release every Saturday 8pm on Netflix) has Zomato’s founder and Infosys founding couple on stage - fantastic watch!
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