Hotstar is a leading Indian digital and mobile entertainment platform offering users access to live sports, television shows, movies, and more. It has over 300 million monthly active members. It is available in various languages, including English, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi. Hotstar has become hugely popular among Indian users and continues to grow its user base.
What Happened to Hotstar?
Hotstar recently underwent a rebranding exercise in 2021, changing its name from ‘Star India’s Hotstar’ to just ‘Hotstar.’ This was followed by several changes designed to improve the streaming experience and make it attractive for more users, particularly in content selection and user experience.
Best Eco-friendly Hotstar Alternatives
As users seek more eco-friendly ways to watch their favourite content, here are 12 environmentally friendly alternatives to Hotstar that can help minimize your carbon footprint
Hulu
Destination URL https://www.hulu.com/
Hulu is a streaming service that offers access to TV shows and movies, focusing on providing an environmentally-friendly streaming experience. The company is committed to sustainability and has partnered with Greenpeace to reduce its carbon footprint. Hulu also offers features such as 4K UHD and HDR playback so users can enjoy their content at the highest possible quality without using extra power or resources.
HBO Max
Destination URL https://www.hbomax.com/
HBO Max is one of the leading streaming services in the market, offering a fantastic mix of content, including movies, series, and documentaries. In addition, the company has committed to reducing its carbon footprint by utilizing renewable energy sources for much of its operations. It also uses low-power LED lighting, which helps reduce electricity usage.
Google TV
Destination URL https://tv.google/intl/en_us/
Google TV is an Android-based operating system that provides access to hundreds of streaming apps and services. In addition, it has many features designed to reduce its environmental impact, such as automatic power savings when the system is not in use or low-power audio playback and video streaming.
YouTube TV
Destination URL https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/
YouTube is one of the most widely used streaming platforms on the web, offering users access to millions of videos across various genres, including movies, series, and more. The company has committed to using renewable energy sources and decreasing its carbon footprint whenever possible. It is also committed to ensuring that content creators create environmentally friendly videos, rewarding those who contribute positively to sustainability with various incentives.
Netflix
Destination URL https://www.netflix.com/
Netflix offers access to an extensive library of movies, series, and documentaries for streaming without ads or subscription commitments. In addition, the company uses advanced technology to minimize waste during production and reduce its carbon footprint in other ways, such as using reusable packaging for shipping and producing web-based tutorials to reduce paper waste.
Amazon Prime Video
Destination URL https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Video/
Regarding eco-conscious streaming platforms, Amazon Prime Video is one of the best options out there, committed to reducing its environmental impact through efficient operations and reduced emissions from transportation carriers. The company also uses renewable energy sources for its operations, which helps keep the overall carbon emissions in check.
Apple TV+
Destination URL https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-plus/
Apple TV+ is the new kid on the block of streaming services, providing access to exclusive content created by some of Hollywood’s most iconic filmmakers and stars, including Steven Spielberg, Reese Witherspoon, and Jennifer Aniston, among others. In addition, the company has committed itself to using renewable energy sources for all its operations to reduce its carbon footprint.
Zee5 (for Indian content)
Destination URL https://www.zee5.com/
Zee5 is one of India’s leading digital entertainment platforms that offers users access to original shows, films, and blockbuster hits worldwide. The company is committed to sustainability and has adopted various measures, such as using renewable energy sources for operations and minimizing carbon emissions wherever possible.
Voot (for Indian content)
Destination URL https://www.voot.com/
Voot is an entertainment platform that provides access to a wide range of movies, TV shows, and other digital media from India’s leading filmmakers. In addition, the company has been rated as one of India’s most sustainable streaming platforms thanks to its commitment to reducing its environmental impact by investing in renewable energy sources and minimizing air travel, among other things.
SonyLIV (for Indian content)
Destination URL https://www.sonyliv.com/
SonyLIV is a streaming platform from India’s leading media company Sony Entertainment that offers an extensive library of movies, series, and originals for streaming without ads or subscription commitments. In addition, its commitment to sustainability has resulted in the company using renewable energy sources wherever possible, including one million square feet of solar panels at its facilities in Maharashtra.
MX Player (for Indian content)
Destination URL https://www.mxplayer.in/
MX Player is an entertainment platform that offers users access to movies and series from India, Tamil Nadu, and the U.S., in addition to other digital content like documentaries and live concerts. In addition, the company recently shared its sustainability goals, which include using renewable energy sources, promoting green production techniques, and recycling materials for prints wherever possible.
Hotstar FAQs
What is Hotstar?
Hotstar is a leading Indian digital and mobile entertainment platform offering users access to live sports, television shows, movies, and more. It has over 300 million monthly active members across 8 languages, including English, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi.
How much does Hotstar cost?
Several membership plans are available for the service, ranging from free ( with ads) to VIP and Premium plans. The pricing for these plans varies according to the region and the type of content that you want access to.
Does Hotstar have an app?
Yes, Hotstar has Android/iOS apps, available on Google Play Store and App Store, respectively, and a website, www.hotstar.com, where users can stream their favourite content without downloading any additional software or application.
Are there any alternatives to Hotstar?
Yes, there are a lot of streaming services available that offer an alternative experience to Hotstar. Other options include Hulu, HBO Max, Google TV, YouTube TV, and Disney+ Hotstar.
Is Hotstar free?
Yes, you can access the Basic plan on Hotstar for free (with ads). However, the VIP and Premium plans require a subscription.
Which service has the best content on Hotstar?
Hotstar offers a large selection of both Hollywood and Bollywood content and lives sports events. Regarding content selection, it is hard to pick just one service. Still, all alternatives mentioned above have something to offer that users can enjoy.