- Reliance and Disney are merging media operations in India.
- The deal unites their streaming services, TV channels, and Disney content rights.
- It allows both to expand in fast-growing India’s huge viewer market.
Merging media operations
Reliance and Disney are merging their media operations in India to create the country’s largest media entity valued at $8.5 billion.
Reliance will hold a majority 16.34% stake, while Disney will own 36.84%.
The joint venture unites Reliance’s streaming service JioCinema with Disney’s Hotstar.
It also brings together their extensive TV channel holdings and gives the new firm exclusive domestic rights for Disney movies and content.
The opportunity ahead
The deal combines both digital and TV rights for major cricket events like the Indian Premier League, which drove fierce competition between the companies.
The sports content is critical for engaging India’s huge potential audience.
For Reliance, the merger presents an opportunity to expand its media presence in fast-growing India.
For Disney, it allows them to continue reaching the country’s 750 million viewers while writes down the value of its current India business.
