Reliance and Disney Merge to Create India’s Entertainment Powerhouse

Reliance Entertainment and Disney have officially merged, creating India’s largest entertainment company after receiving approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The $8.5 billion deal will see Reliance hold a 63.16% stake, while Disney will own 36.84%. The combined entity, with Nita Ambani as chairperson, will boast a reach of 750 million viewers, encompassing a wide range of channels, digital content, and streaming platforms. The merger combines Disney Star’s 80 channels with Reliance Viacom18’s 40, while their respective OTT platforms, Disney Hotstar and Jio Cinema, will offer a combined 200,000 hours of digital content. Experts predict that the new company will hold a dominant position in the market, with a large user base and a strong foothold in both television and digital entertainment. The merger is anticipated to be finalized within six months, pending approval from the Indian Companies Tribunal.