Hotstar is an Indian streaming service that offers a wide variety of movies, TV shows, live sports, and news content. It is owned by Star India, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. Hotstar has gained immense popularity in India and other countries where it is available due to its diverse content and affordable subscription plans. We are going to cover how to watch hotstar in canada?
However, Hotstar is not available in Canada due to regional restrictions. This means that if you try to access Hotstar from Canada, you will be blocked from watching any content. But there is a solution: using a VPN to access Hotstar from India.
In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to watch Hotstar in Canada using a VPN service. We will also explain what a VPN is and why it is necessary for accessing Hotstar in Canada. So, let’s get started and explore the world of Hotstar from Canada.
Disney+ Hotstar is a premium streaming service that offers a vast collection of content from the world-renowned entertainment giant Disney. Unlike other streaming platforms, Disney+ Hotstar exclusively offers a wide range of content from the Disney universe, including Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. From classic animated films to the latest releases, Disney+ Hotstar has something for everyone.
However, it’s worth noting that Disney+ Hotstar is not accessible in Canada due to regional restrictions. Nevertheless, the platform is available in several other countries, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore, to name a few.
Hotstar is a streaming service that offers a wide range of content across various genres, including:
- TV Shows: Hotstar offers a vast collection of TV shows in multiple languages, including Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Marathi, and Gujarati. Some popular TV shows available on Hotstar include Game of Thrones, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, and Big Bang Theory.
- Movies: Hotstar also offers a vast collection of movies across different languages, including Bollywood and Hollywood movies. Some popular movies available on Hotstar include Avengers: Endgame, The Lion King, Baaghi 3, Dil Bechara, and Kabir Singh.
- Live Sports: Hotstar offers live streaming of various sports events, including cricket, football, tennis, and more. Some popular sports events available on Hotstar include IPL cricket matches, Premier League football matches, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments.
- News: Hotstar offers live streaming of various news channels, including NDTV, Republic TV, ABP News, and more.
- Originals: Hotstar has also started producing its original content, including shows like Criminal Justice, Hostages, Special Ops, and more.
Hotstar also offers a premium subscription service called Hotstar VIP, which provides access to exclusive content from Star India channels, including Star Plus, Star Vijay, Star Maa, Star Bharat, and more.
What a VPN is and why it’s necessary for accessing Hotstar in Canada?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a technology that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a remote server. When you connect to a VPN, your IP address is masked and replaced with the IP address of the VPN server you are connected to. This makes it appear as though you are accessing the internet from the location of the VPN server, rather than your actual physical location.
Using a VPN is necessary for accessing Hotstar in Canada because Hotstar is geo-restricted, meaning it is only available in certain countries. Hotstar is currently available in India, the United States, and a few other countries. When you try to access Hotstar from Canada, you will receive an error message indicating that the service is not available in your region.
However, by using a VPN to connect to a server in India, you can bypass the geo-restrictions and access Hotstar from Canada. When you connect to an Indian VPN server, your IP address is replaced with an Indian IP address, which makes it appear as though you are located in India. This allows you to create a Hotstar account and access the service from Canada as if you were located in India.
It’s important to note that not all VPN services are equal, and some may not work with Hotstar. Additionally, using a VPN to access content that is not available in your region may be a violation of the service’s terms of use, so it’s important to use a reliable and trustworthy VPN service.
Guide How to Watch Hotstar in Canada Step by Step:
To watch Disney+ Hotstar in Canada using a VPN service, users will need to connect to a server in India. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to watch Disney+ Hotstar in Canada using a VPN service that connects to an Indian server:
Step 1: Choose a VPN Service There are several VPN services available that offer servers in India, including ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. Choose a VPN service that best fits your needs and budget.
Step 2: Install the VPN App on Your Device Install the VPN app on your device. Most VPN services offer apps for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs. In this guide, we’ll use the ExpressVPN app for Android smartphones as an example.
Step 3: Connect to an Indian Server Launch the ExpressVPN app and select an Indian server. Once you’ve connected to the server, the app will display a green “Connected” icon.
Step 4: Create a Disney+ Hotstar Account Visit the Disney+ Hotstar website (https://www.hotstar.com/in) and create an account. You can use your Google or Facebook account to sign up or create a new account using your email address.
Step 5: Start Streaming Once you’ve created an account, you can start streaming Disney+ Hotstar content. Enjoy your favorite movies, TV shows, and live sports events.
Here are some additional tips for using a VPN app on different devices:
Smartphones and Tablets:
- Most VPN apps are available on both Android and iOS devices.
- Install the app from the Google Play Store or App Store.
- Connect to an Indian server and start streaming Disney+ Hotstar content.
Laptops:
- Most VPN services offer apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
- Download the app from the VPN service’s website or the Microsoft Store (for Windows 10).
- Connect to an Indian server and start streaming Disney+ Hotstar content.
Smart TVs:
- Some VPN services offer apps for smart TVs, while others require users to configure the VPN settings manually.
- Check the VPN service’s website for instructions on how to set up the VPN on your smart TV.
- Connect to an Indian server and start streaming Disney+ Hotstar content.
In terms of compatibility, smartphones and tablets are the most convenient devices for watching Disney+ Hotstar using a VPN service. They are lightweight, portable, and offer high-quality displays. Laptops are also a good option for streaming, especially if you prefer a larger screen. However, they may be less convenient to carry around. Smart TVs offer the largest screen size, but they may be more challenging to set up with a VPN service, and not all VPN services offer apps for smart TVs.
How to setup VPN to watch Movies on Hotstar in Canada?
One of the best VPNs for this purpose is ExpressVPN, which has fast speeds, reliable servers and excellent unblocking capabilities. ExpressVPN has two servers in India (via UK and via Singapore) that can access Disney+ Hotstar without any issues.
To use ExpressVPN to watch Disney+ Hotstar in Canada, you need to follow these steps:
- Sign up for an ExpressVPN account on their website.
- Download and install the ExpressVPN app on your device of choice (smartphone, tablet, laptop or smart TV).
- Open the app and log in with your credentials.
- Select an Indian server (via UK or via Singapore) from the list of locations.
- Connect to the server and wait for a few seconds until it is established.
- Open Disney+ Hotstar on your browser or app and enjoy streaming.
Depending on your device type, you may need some additional steps or tips to install and use a VPN app. For example:
- For smartphones and tablets, you can download the ExpressVPN app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store respectively.
- For laptops, you can download the ExpressVPN app from their website or use their browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox or Edge.
- For smart TVs, you may need to set up ExpressVPN on your router first or use a media streaming device like Fire TV Stick or Chromecast.
Different devices may have different compatibility, convenience and quality factors when it comes to watching Disney+ Hotstar with a VPN. For example:
- Smartphones and tablets are portable and easy to use but may have smaller screens and lower resolutions than other devices.
- Laptops are versatile and powerful but may require more battery power and internet bandwidth than other devices.
- Smart TVs are large and immersive but may have limited VPN support or require additional hardware.
How Can I Watch Disney Plus Hotstar Canada?
Currently, Disney+ Hotstar is not available in Canada due to regional restrictions. However, you can still watch Disney+ Hotstar in Canada by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service. Here are the steps to watch Hotstar Canada using a VPN like explained earlier in guide.
How to Subscribe to Hotstar and Start Streaming Your Favorite Content?
The final step is to subscribe to Hotstar and start streaming your favorite content with your VPN connection active. Here are the steps:
- Go to Hotstar
- Click on “Subscribe Now”.
- Choose a premium plan (Rs 299 per month or Rs 1499 per year) and continue with your mobile number or email.
- Enter your credit card info (you may need an international credit card) or use PayPal if available.
- Confirm your subscription details and enjoy streaming.
Tips for troubleshooting common issues with VPNs:
If your VPN doesn’t connect or shows an error message, check your firewall settings and make sure it is not blocking the VPN. You can also try restarting your VPN software or changing your VPN server or protocol.
If your IP address is still visible despite using a VPN, check your DNS settings and make sure they are configured to use your VPN’s DNS servers. You can also use a tool like https://ipleak.net/ to test for DNS leaks.
If your VPN keeps disconnecting or slowing down your internet speed, check your network stability and bandwidth. You can also try switching to a different VPN protocol (such as OpenVPN, IKEv2 or WireGuard) that may be more compatible with your network.
If you cannot access certain websites or apps with your VPN, check if they are blocked by your ISP or government. You can also try changing your VPN location to a different country that may have less censorship. If you face internet connectivity issues then you can refer to best router guide to get buffer-free hotstar streaming.
Be careful while using VPNs:
While using a VPN to access content from another country, including Hotstar from India, can be a useful solution for those living outside the country, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks involved.
Firstly, some streaming services, including Hotstar, have strict terms of use policies that prohibit the use of VPNs to access their content. This means that using a VPN to access Hotstar from Canada may be a violation of the service’s terms of use, which could result in account termination or other consequences.
Secondly, not all VPN services are equal, and some may not be reliable or trustworthy. Using an unreliable VPN service could result in slower internet speeds, connection drops, or even data breaches, which could compromise your online privacy and security.
Lastly, it’s important to be aware of the legal implications of using a VPN to access content that is not available in your region. While it is not necessarily illegal to use a VPN to access geo-restricted content, some countries have stricter laws and regulations regarding the use of VPNs. It’s important to research and understand the laws and regulations in your country before using a VPN to access content from another country.
HBO content will not be available on Hotstar from April 2023:
Disney+ Hotstar, India’s largest streaming platform, has announced that it will stop carrying HBO content on its service from March 31. This means that popular shows like Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, Succession and more will not be available on Disney+ Hotstar from April 1.
The streaming platform made the announcement on its official Twitter handle on Monday. “Starting 31st March, HBO content will be unavailable on Disney+ Hotstar. You can continue enjoying Disney+ Hotstar’s vast library of content spanning over 100,000 hours of TV Shows and Movies in 10 languages and coverage of major global sporting events,” it said.
The move is part of a cost-cutting restructuring plan by The Walt Disney Company, which owns Disney+ Hotstar, to turn its streaming business profitable. Disney has been investing heavily in its own original content for its global streaming service Disney+, which competes with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
However, the decision to drop HBO content has disappointed many subscribers of Disney+ Hotstar in India, who have expressed their frustration and anger on social media. Some have even demanded their money back or threatened to cancel their subscription.
“Why would I continue now? I subscribed only for HBO shows,” one user tweeted. “This is unfair. You should refund our money or give us some compensation,” another user wrote.
HBO content was one of the main attractions of Disney+ Hotstar in India, as it offered some of the most acclaimed and popular shows in the world. However, with the exit of HBO content, Disney+ Hotstar will have to rely on its own original content and other licensed content from Star India, Fox and Marvel to retain and attract subscribers.
Disney+ Hotstar has not revealed where HBO content will be available in India after March 31. However, some reports suggest that WarnerMedia, which owns HBO, may launch its own streaming service HBO Max in India soon.
In conclusion, accessing Hotstar from Canada may seem like a challenge due to regional restrictions, but with the help of a reliable VPN service, it is possible to enjoy the vast collection of content available on the platform. Users can access their favorite TV shows, movies, live sports, news, and original content from India, from the comfort of their homes in Canada. However, it’s essential to use a trustworthy VPN service and be aware of the potential risks involved in accessing geo-restricted content. With this in mind, users can enjoy the benefits of Hotstar’s vast content library, even from outside India.