Disney-Reliance Merger Nears Completion, Jio Star OTT Platform Set to Launch!

The highly anticipated merger between Reliance Industries and Disney Star is progressing toward completion, with plans for a new over-the-top (OTT) platform, potentially named “Jio Star,” on the horizon. This development comes amid discussions surrounding the JioHotstar domain name, which has seen a new website, jiostar.com, go live with a “coming soon” message but without further details. Speculation is mounting that this platform will emerge as a product of the Disney Star-Reliance merger.

Domain Transfer and Ownership

In a notable turn of events, Jainam and Jivika Jain, the Dubai-based siblings who own the jiohotstar.com domain, have offered to transfer it to Reliance at no cost. They stated, “We now think it might be best for Team Reliance to have this domain if they want it. We are happy to give jiohotstar.com to them for free, with all the proper paperwork.” The siblings acquired the domain from a Delhi-based app developer who initially sought to sell it to fund his studies at Cambridge University.

Merger Details and Regulatory Approvals

The merger has received approvals from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), marking it as one of the largest deals in India’s media and entertainment sector, valued at approximately $8.5 billion. According to Reliance’s quarterly earnings report for Q2FY25, the merger is expected to conclude by the third quarter of the financial year 2024-25.

In a detailed order dated October 22, the CCI granted approval for the merger under specific conditions, including the divestment of seven television channels. Following the merger, Reliance Industries will hold a 60% stake, with 16% directly owned and 47% through its majority-owned Viacom18 Media. Disney will retain a 37% stake in the new venture.

Jio Star: A New Player in Digital Entertainment

As Reliance and Disney join forces, all eyes are on the potential launch of Jio Star, which is expected to make waves in India’s rapidly expanding digital entertainment landscape. The platform is anticipated to combine content from both existing OTT services—JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar—offering users a comprehensive library of films, series, and live sports events.

While earlier reports suggested that JioCinema would merge into Disney+ Hotstar due to its superior technical capabilities, there remains uncertainty regarding how live sporting events—particularly popular franchises like the Indian Premier League (IPL)—will be integrated into the new service.

Conclusion

The impending merger between Reliance and Disney Star represents a significant shift in India’s media landscape, with Jio Star poised to become a formidable player in the OTT market. As discussions continue around content integration and platform features, consumers are eager to see how this collaboration will reshape their viewing experiences. With regulatory approvals in place and domain ownership clarified, the launch of Jio Star could redefine digital entertainment in India as it seeks to compete against established players in a fiercely competitive environment.