Competition Commission of India (CCI) has granted approval for the merger between Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and The Walt Disney Company’s Indian media assets, valued at approximately ₹70,000 crore (or $8.5 billion). This significant development was announced on August 28, 2024, and is set to create the largest entertainment
conglomerate in India, encompassing 120 television channels and two streaming services.
The merger involves RIL, Viacom18 Media Private Limited, Digital18 Media Limited, Star India Private Limited, and Star Television Productions Limited. Following the deal, Reliance will hold a 63.16% stake in the new joint venture, while Disney will retain 36.84%. The CCI’s approval comes after previous concerns regarding the merged
entity’s potential dominance in cricket broadcasting rights, which could adversely affect competition and advertisers in the market.
The CCI noted that the approval is contingent upon the compliance with certain “voluntary modifications,” although specific details of these modifications have not yet been disclosed. The merger is expected to be completed by the end of 2024 or early 2025, with Nita Ambani appointed as the Chairperson and Uday Shankar as Vice
Chairperson of the joint venture.
This merger positions the new entity to compete vigorously against major players such as Sony, Netflix, and Amazon, leveraging a vast content library and extensive distribution capabilities. The merger agreement also includes provisions for Disney’s films and productions to be distributed in India through the new joint venture, which is anticipated to significantly enhance its market presence and operational efficiency in the competitive entertainment landscape.