When it was first launched on 21 February 1992,[1] StarPlus was an English language entertainment television channel, broadcasting international television shows from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, with Zee TV being the Hindi-language counterpart.[2]
After Star ended its relationship with Zee TV on 31 March 1996, StarPlus was transformed completely into a Hindi-language channel (from April 1996 to June 2000, StarPlus was a bilingual TV channel consisting of Hindi and English programmes),[3] with Star World becoming the network's English-language counterpart channel.[4] The company's CEO Sameer Nair and programming chief Tarun Katial introduced a number of new shows, which helped solidify the channel's position as a large influence in Hindi-language television broadcasting.[5][6][7]
The channel launched in the United States in November 2004.[8]
The channel's high-definition feed was launched on 15 April 2011.[9] It carries the same schedule as the SD feed, but with different commercials.
StarPlus HD was set to launch in both the United Kingdom and Ireland by the end of 2011,[10] but it was delayed until 5 July 2012.[11]
On 6 October 2017, Canada's ATN Channel lost rights to Star programming, with viewers directed to the new streaming service Hotstar, which was recently introduced into the Canadian market.[12] On 1 October 2023, ATN relaunched Star Plus in Canada.[13]
On 4 January 2019, Star similarly shut down its linear channels in the United States, in favour of Hotstar.[14][15] On 14 September 2023, Dish Network and Sling TV relaunched Star Plus and other Disney Star channels in the United States.[16]
Rebranding
On 14 June 2010, it underwent a rebranding along with a change from the blue rectangular logo to a ruby red star with the tagline "Rishta Wahi, Soch Nayi".(Same Relationship, New Thinking.) [17]
On 7 November 2016, it underwent a rebranding with the tagline "Nayi Soch". (New Thinking.) [18]
On 27 May 2018, it underwent a rebranding with Alia Bhatt as the face of the campaign with the red crystal star with gold swoosh along with the tagline "Rishta Wahi, Baat Nayi" (Same Relationship, New Conversations.) and signature song composed by A. R. Rahman.[19]
On 30 December 2020, Disney announced that the Star branding in the Netherlands would be replaced with Utsav from 22 January 2021. On 22 January 2021, StarPlus became Utsav Plus in the UK and Europe.[20][21]
Reception
In 2000, StarPlus was at third position in terms of revenue and viewership after Zee TV and Sony Entertainment Television while none of the series were in top 10.[22] With the launch of Indian Hindi version of Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, the show became an instant hit becoming number one show followed by the launch of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, on the same day which became second most watched after it which soon beat the latter to number one position while StarPlus soon became the most watched channel.[22][23][24] This followed Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii in October 2000 and later Kasautii Zindagi Kay a year after it and many more produced under Balaji Telefilms which made StarPlus to achieve the highest viewership during that time making the channel at No. 1 position since.[25][26] Most of the series (80-90%) aired in the channel during that period were produced by Balaji Telefilms.[27] 70% of the revenue for the production house was obtained from Star then.[25]
After 2006, their top rated shows started to decline in viewership and were axed one by one by the channel.[28][29] However, during 2008, differences arouse between Star India and Balaji due to termination of their serials over declining ratings, cancellation of joint venture for regional content in South India and as a result the agreement of Balaji buying Star's stake was terminated.[30][31] Both suffered some downfall after it.[32] However, after two years, they patched up and Tere Liye was the show produced after it in 2010.[33][34] During the slight downfall in viewership in the end of the 2000s the No.1 position dominated by it for nine years continuously was beaten by the rival channel Colors TV in April 2009 for the first time pushing it to second position.[35][36][37] During last week of May 2009, it was beaten by Zee TV for the first time in nine years, pushing it to third position and only Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai has maintained its ratings among Top 10.[38]
On week 12 of 2020, while it dropped to fifth position in Hindi GEC while overall at sixth position in India, the following week the channel did not even feature in top ten Indian channels owing COVID-19 pandemic when production and new episodes broadcast were halted and reruns began.[39][40] However, in week 15 it returned to the top ten.[41][failed verification]
On 3 April 2017, Star brought back its afternoon programming which was shut down eight years ago with the launch of 4 new soap operas from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm (IST).[52][53] It was later extended up to 3:00 pm with Love Ka Hai Intezaar in May 2017 but was again made 2 hours from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm as the soap Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji was shifted to prime time.[54] Due to low ratings than expected, it was cancelled by the channel on 30 September in the same year.[55]
