JioHotstar Makes International Debut in UK Canada and Singapore

JioHotstar Makes International Debut in UK Canada and Singapore

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 3, 2026

JioHotstar has announced its international launch across the UK, Canada and Singapore, marking a new phase in its vision of Infinite Possibilities and its plans to build a global entertainment platform.

The launch brings more than just JioHotstar's entertainment catalogue to these markets. Audiences can access 160K+ hours of content across 12+ languages, covering television, films, regional programming, non-fiction, kids and anime, along with personalised recommendations, interactive features and flexible subscription options.

The platform is aimed at the South Asian diaspora while also opening its library to global audiences interested in different stories, languages and cultures. JioHotstar plans to add more than 30,000 hours of fresh content annually. The international launch comes with a mix of new originals, popular franchises and television content. New titles include Ali Baba Aur Chaalis Bhoot, Prince of Mollywood, Part Timers and The Court, along with blockbuster movie premieres through the year.

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One of the key additions is an interactive experience for Bigg Boss. The reality franchise will return across six languages, with audiences in the UK, Canada and Singapore able to vote LIVE across every edition for the first time. Viewers in Canada and the UK will also have access to the 24x7 LIVE Feed, while Canada will be able to watch Bigg Boss Hindi seven days ahead of its TV broadcast.

Audiences in Canada and Singapore can also watch India Ka Top 1 Percent, a new game show hosted by Anil Kapoor, which tests contestants' logic and reasoning. The platform will also carry content from JioStar television channels, including Star Plus, Colors, Star Vijay, Asianet, Star Jalsha and Star Pravah. Singapore and Canada audiences will get Before-TV access to shows such as Anupama, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Seher Hone Ko Hai and Azhagae Azhagu, while audiences in the UK can watch popular shows simultaneously with their TV broadcast.

Alongside the new international line-up, JioHotstar's library includes originals such as Criminal Justice, Special Ops, Chiraiya, Pritam & Pedro, Asur, Aarya, Heartbeat, Vikram on Duty, Kerala Crime Files, Resort and Kaattaan. Its entertainment offering also features franchises such as Koffee with Karan, Bhojpuri Bawaal, Khatron Ke Khiladi, MTV Hustle, Splitsvilla, Laughter Chefs - Unlimited Entertainment, Roadies and Cooku with Comali.

The movie catalogue includes titles such as Vaazha, Dhurandhar, Chhichhore, Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, Kill, 12th Fail and Jab We Met. Available across mobile and Connected TV, the JioHotstar app can be downloaded through the App Store and Google Play Store in the UK, Canada and Singapore.

The platform is also introducing quarterly subscription plans across all three markets, giving users a shorter-duration option alongside annual plans. Existing Hotstar subscribers can log in using their current credentials and transition to an equivalent JioHotstar plan without service disruption. In the UK, existing subscribers can continue with their current monthly plans while auto renewal remains active.

From 2nd September, the subscription pricing will be:

Market

Quarterly

Annual

UK

GBP 19.99

GBP 69.99

Canada

CAD 19.99

CAD 49.99

Singapore

SGD 29.98

SGD 69.98

The updated platform also focuses on easier content discovery through a modern interface and personalised recommendation engines. JioHotstar offers subtitles and dubs across 12+ Asian languages, including English, Hindi, Gujarati, Malayalam and Kannada, supporting viewers across different age groups and cultural backgrounds.

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Commenting on JioHotstar's international expansion and vision for global streaming, Amit Malhotra, Head – International Business, JioStar, said: “Streaming has spent the last decade competing on the size of its catalogue. We believe the bigger opportunity now is to reimagine how audiences experience entertainment; not just what they watch, but how they discover, engage with and shape the experience in real time. South Asian audiences have a deep connection with Indian entertainment across languages, generations and households. At the same time, audiences globally are increasingly seeking stories and cultures beyond their own. We see an opportunity to build for this broader, underserved global audience - not simply export an Indian streaming service to new markets.”

He further added, “As we expand internationally, our ambition is to show what becomes possible when scale, language, cultural diversity, personalisation and deeper audience participation are built into the streaming experience from day one.”

With more than 500 million active users, JioHotstar has developed a large entertainment ecosystem combining content, technology and consumer-focused product experiences. Its features include conversational voice discovery, AI-powered personalisation, in-app commerce and interactive entertainment. The launch in the UK, Canada and Singapore marks the next phase of JioHotstar's international journey, taking its entertainment library, technology and streaming experience to audiences beyond India.


The Imperia by Dhaba Adds Six Vegetarian Appetisers to Its Menu

The Imperia by Dhaba Adds Six Vegetarian Appetisers to Its Menu

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 2, 2026

The Imperia by Dhaba in New Jersey has expanded its vegetarian menu with six new appetisers featuring baby corn, paneer, cheese, corn and assorted vegetables. The latest additions bring together crispy textures, sweet-and-spicy sauces and Indo-Chinese-inspired flavours, with a culinary contribution from Assistant Chef Himanshu Joshi.

The new selection explores different ways of preparing familiar ingredients, combining fried textures, tangy sauces and simple seasonings to offer more variety for diners looking for vegetarian starters.

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Honey Chili Baby Corn features crispy baby corn coated in a honey and sweet chilli sauce, complemented by bell peppers. Golden Fried Baby Corn offers a simpler preparation, with golden-fried baby corn served alongside duck sauce for a contrast of textures and flavours. For paneer lovers, Paneer Sweet Chili brings fried paneer pieces together with bell peppers in a light gravy, combining sweet and spicy notes.

The menu also includes Chili Sesame Toast, which features cheese toast coated in fried batter and topped with sesame seeds. Corn Shooters offer a different presentation, serving corn mixed with chopped onions and tomatoes in phyllo cups. Rounding out the selection, Veg Salt and Pepper focuses on crispy vegetables seasoned with salt and pepper.

Together, the six dishes showcase how everyday ingredients can be presented through different cooking techniques, sauces and serving styles. From crispy baby corn and spicy paneer to cheese toast and bite-sized corn appetisers, the additions offer a mix of flavours and textures. With these new dishes, The Imperia by Dhaba aims to broaden its vegetarian appetiser selection while keeping the focus on familiar ingredients and bold seasoning.


Ensana Fürstenhof Reopens in Germany After Major Renovation

Ensana Fürstenhof Reopens in Germany After Major Renovation

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 25, 2026

Ensana Fürstenhof in Bad Griesbach, Bavaria, has officially reopened following extensive modernisation, bringing a refreshed hospitality and wellness experience to Germany's Lower Bavaria region. The historic hotel has been upgraded with 148 redesigned rooms and a refurbished 4,500-square-metre spa area, marking Ensana Hotels' expansion into the German market.

The reopening ceremony was attended by General Manager Ralf Müller and Frank Halmos, CEO of Ensana Hotels, who welcomed invited guests. The event also brought together Bad Griesbach Mayor Jürgen Fundke and Deputy District Administrator Cornelia Wasner-Sommer. The renovation has repositioned Ensana Fürstenhof as a destination for wellness, relaxation and hospitality, combining modern facilities with the region's natural thermal resources. The next phase of the hotel's development will introduce dedicated medical facilities, scheduled to open in early 2027.

The hotel's refurbished spa is a key part of its offering, featuring two indoor swimming pools and an outdoor thermal-water pool, alongside two whirlpools, saunas, a steam room and a salt grotto. Spacious relaxation areas and an outdoor sunbathing space covering approximately 1,000 square metres provide additional facilities for guests. Ensana Fürstenhof's wellness concept combines natural healing resources, medical expertise and hospitality.

A central feature is the fluoride-containing sodium hydrogen carbonate chloride thermal water sourced from Bad Griesbach's therapeutic springs. The planned medical facilities will expand the hotel's wellness offering with personalised programmes focused on areas including musculoskeletal health, stress reduction and holistic wellbeing. The new services are scheduled to be introduced in early 2027.

Beyond its spa facilities, Ensana Fürstenhof offers culinary experiences and a programme of activities throughout the year. Seasonal dining events, regular brunches and live music form part of the hotel's plans to attract visitors beyond traditional wellness stays. On 15 November 2026, the hotel will host its traditional Martinmas goose lunch from 12 noon to 1:30 PM. Guests can also enjoy a relaxed brunch every second Sunday from 11 AM to 1:30 PM. Live music performances featuring a changing line-up of artists are scheduled every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 PM to 10:30 PM, adding to the hotel's entertainment offerings.

Located in Lower Bavaria's spa triangle, Ensana Fürstenhof also offers access to outdoor activities and sporting experiences. Golf enthusiasts can visit the nearby golf resort, which features ten courses spread across 476 hectares, making it one of the region's attractions for visitors seeking an active holiday. The hotel's location allows guests to combine outdoor pursuits with thermal spa experiences and relaxation. This combination supports its positioning as a destination for both wellness-focused stays and leisure travel.

With its renovated rooms, expanded spa facilities, dining experiences and planned medical services, Ensana Fürstenhof is preparing to develop its offering further. The reopening marks a new phase for the historic property as Ensana strengthens its presence in Germany's wellness and hospitality market.


Varel Singapore Appoints Agnes Cheng as General Manager

Varel Singapore Appoints Agnes Cheng as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 24, 2026

Varel Singapore, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, has appointed Agnes Cheng as General Manager, bringing more than 20 years of hospitality experience across luxury, upscale and boutique hotels in Singapore. In her new role, she will oversee the hotel's operations, commercial strategy and financial performance, with a focus on guest satisfaction and business growth.

Agnes has held senior positions at several established hospitality groups, including Naumi Hotels, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Far East Hospitality and The Ascott Limited. Her experience covers hotel operations, sales and marketing, revenue optimisation, food and beverage (F&B) management and strategic partnerships.

Before joining Varel Singapore, Agnes served as General Manager of Naumi Hotel Singapore, where she managed hotel operations, commercial performance and financial performance while overseeing the Rang Mahal restaurant. During her tenure, she led operational improvements and major asset enhancement initiatives, including restaurant refurbishment and enhancements to the hotel's façade.

Under her leadership, Naumi Hotel Singapore received the Best Boutique Hotel accolade at the TTG Travel Awards in both 2025 and 2026. The hotel also received the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Award 2026 during her tenure.

Agnes also brings experience in hotel openings, having played key roles in the launches of Citadines Connect City Centre Singapore, Bay Hotel Singapore and Grand Park Orchard. Across these appointments, she developed new business opportunities, built long-term client relationships and guided sales teams towards achieving revenue targets.

Known for her hands-on and collaborative management approach, Agnes places importance on team development, operational efficiency and service quality. Her leadership approach focuses on empowering employees, creating a positive working environment and maintaining consistent service standards while supporting business performance.

Fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, Agnes brings a combination of operational knowledge, commercial expertise and experience across different hotel brands to her new role at Varel Singapore. As General Manager, she will focus on building on the hotel's existing foundation, strengthening guest satisfaction and supporting its continued growth in Singapore's hospitality market.

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