JioBLAST, has officially commenced operations following a collaboration between Jio, BLAST, and RISE Worldwide Limited. The joint venture, which is based in Mumbai, has announced its intention to shape the future of gaming and competitive entertainment within India.
The partnership brings together the substantial digital ecosystem of Jio, claimed to be over 480 million users, the global esports expertise of BLAST, and the domestic sports and entertainment experience of RISE. In a statement outlining its vision, JioBLAST declared an ambitious goal: to grow esports into “India’s biggest entertainment category after cricket.” The organisation plans to achieve this by creating world-class esports tournaments and new forms of competitive entertainment, aiming to engage both fans and commercial partners.
Also read: Esports in India: A late arrival or the next global powerhouse?
The venture cited India’s market conditions as a key factor for its launch, noting the country is “home to hundreds of millions of gamers” and that “global publishers are investing heavily in the market.” Furthermore, JioBLAST pointed to the supportive regulatory environment, specifically mentioning that “The Online Gaming Bill is actively supporting the growth of esports.”
Central to its strategy is engaging with India’s youth. The company identified “India’s Gen Z gamers and fans” as “the most powerful and influential audience in the country,” who are “shaping culture, driving trends and redefining the entertainment they want to consume.”
Positioning itself as “an enabler and a net positive force for the entire ecosystem,” JioBLAST stated it will support “publishers, players, brands and communities to thrive.” The Mumbai office is now open and is reported to be “gearing up to launch exciting projects for millions of gamers.” The company will be led by Charlie Cowdrey, as announced earlier this year.
