Rohit Jain Takes Charge of Lionsgate Play in Starz Asia Reset
Lata Jha reports that Rohit Jain now leads Lionsgate Play after a significant corporate reshuffle. This change happened on 14 January 2026. Jain will transition fully to managing Lionsgate Play and exit Lionsgate as part of the transaction.
Starz Sells Streaming Platform to Asia President
Starz Entertainment Corp. sold Lionsgate Play in South and Southeast Asia to Rohit Jain. Jain serves as the president of Lionsgate Play Asia. The Canadian-American entertainment company made this move to place the OTT platform under founder-led ownership.
This decision comes amid intensifying competition in India’s streaming market. All other Lionsgate film and television businesses in India and Southeast Asia will remain with the studio.
The company issued a statement confirming the deal. It said the transaction places Lionsgate Play under founder-led ownership. This shift aims for a sharper focus on Asia’s fast-evolving digital entertainment market.
Platform's Scale and Investment
Lionsgate Play commands an estimated subscriber base of 5 million users. The platform invested around $100 million in content for South Asia over the past few years.
Under a multi-year agreement, Lionsgate will license the Lionsgate Play brand name to the platform. It will also provide access to its films and television series. This arrangement allows Lionsgate Play to continue scaling in one of the world’s most dynamic streaming territories.
Leadership and Strategic Vision
Brian Goldsmith, Lionsgate chief operating officer, praised Rohit Jain’s leadership. “We thank Rohit for his outstanding leadership in building and scaling Lionsgate’s business in India over the past eight years,” Goldsmith said.
“Under his stewardship, the Lionsgate brand has gained greater resonance with audiences in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Lionsgate Play has emerged as a distinctive premium streaming platform in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital entertainment markets.”
Jain expressed confidence in the platform’s future. He said Lionsgate Play established itself as a leading destination for Hollywood content in India. The platform now aims to expand beyond that role. Jain wants to shape a differentiated, future-ready streaming platform for the region.
Lionsgate Play's India Journey
Globally, Lionsgate is famous for popular franchises. These include:
- The Hunger Games
- John Wick
- Saw
- Twilight
- Divergent
The studio also produced critically acclaimed films like Knives Out, Hell or High Water, and The Big Sick.
In India, Lionsgate Play started with a strategic partnership. It was initially available to Vodafone Play and Idea Movies and TV subscribers through Vodafone Idea Ltd. The platform launched as a standalone streaming app in 2020.
Amit Dhanuka, former executive vice-president at Lionsgate, shared earlier ambitions. He told Mint the platform targeted 60 premieres a year across English and Hindi. Its India originals included titles such as Feels Like Home and Minus One.
Market Pressure on Smaller OTT Platforms
The transaction occurs during a challenging period for smaller OTT platforms in India. Rising content and talent costs create financial strain. The growing dominance of global giants adds competitive pressure.
Key players like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and the merged JioHotstar entity control large market shares. Some platforms like Lionsgate Play increasingly lean on international titles. Others struggle to maintain their position.
Eros Now has slowed original programming. Hungama Play cut back on marketing new launches. Both platforms continue releasing some content but face significant challenges.
Structural Disadvantages for Some Platforms
Industry experts highlight structural problems for certain streaming services. Platforms focused largely on Hindi or English content face disadvantages. They lack the financial muscle of larger rivals that produce content across multiple languages.
These platforms also failed to build strong niche propositions. Regional-focused platforms like hoichoi or aha developed clearer market positions.
Girish Dwibhashyam, a streaming industry expert, explained the situation. “It is a classic case of big fish ruling over the small ones,” Dwibhashyam said.
“These platforms can’t afford big-ticket rights the way Netflix, Prime Video or broadcaster-owned OTTs can. Regional apps may not yet be profitable, but they are innovating and have a clearer story for investors. The problem with some other players is that they are neither niche nor capable of matching the big players on capital investment.”
The streaming landscape in India continues evolving rapidly. Lionsgate Play’s new ownership structure represents a strategic adaptation to these market conditions.
