The Ministry of Data and Broadcasting has authorised Reliance Industries Restricted’s (RIL) switch of non-news and present affairs TV channels. These channels, presently owned by Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd, might be transferred to Star India Personal Restricted, marking an important transfer within the three way partnership between RIL and Disney.
This approval, issued on September 27, 2024, is a part of the broader collaboration between Reliance and Disney, introduced earlier this yr. The partnership goals to consolidate key leisure manufacturers below one umbrella in India.
The Competitors Fee of India (CCI) had already cleared the ₹70,350 crore merger of Reliance and Disney’s Indian media belongings on August 28, 2024. Two days later, the Nationwide Firm Legislation Tribunal (NCLT) Mumbai bench additionally authorised the Viacom18-Star India merger.
The alliance between RIL and Disney is about to problem main opponents like Sony, Netflix, and Amazon, with the mixed entity providing 120 TV channels and two streaming platforms.
The merger is predicted to be finalised by late 2024 or early 2025, strengthening their dominance in India’s leisure market.
Following the switch, Star India will reportedly emerge as the principle working firm, with Reliance holding a 56% stake. Walt Disney will personal 37% of the mixed entity, whereas Uday Shankar and James Murdoch’s Bodhi Tree Methods, a minority stakeholder in Viacom18, will maintain the remaining 7%.
The boards of Star India and Viacom18 are anticipated to satisfy quickly to finalise the efficient date of the merger.
Nita Ambani, chairperson of Reliance Basis, and Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm, just lately joined the Viacom18 board, in line with an Financial Occasions report.
Different key figures embrace James Murdoch and Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hardan from Qatar Funding Authority, an investor in Bodhi Tree, together with Jyoti Deshpande, president of media and content material at Reliance Industries, and Shuva Mandal of Anagram Companions.
Put up-merger, Nita Ambani will grow to be chairperson of the newly shaped entity, with Uday Shankar, former head of Star India and seasoned media govt, serving as vice-chairperson.
