Reliance Industries Limited, Viacom18 Media Private Limited, and The Walt Disney Company have finalised the merger of Viacom18’s media and JioCinema businesses with Star India Private Limited (SIPL). This historic collaboration has created a joint venture (JV) valued at approximately $8.5 billion, making it the largest media and entertainment entity in India.
The new JV combines the unparalleled strengths of Reliance and Disney, uniting some of the most iconic brands in Indian and global media, including Star, Colors, JioCinema, and Hotstar. With a staggering portfolio of over 100 TV channels and an annual production capacity of more than 30,000 hours of content, the JV is set to redefine India’s media landscape.
Leveraging an array of assets across the entertainment and sports industries, including Colors, StarPlus, Star GOLD, Star Sports, and Sports18, the JV aims to dominate traditional TV and digital streaming platforms. Consumers will gain access to premium entertainment and sports content on platforms such as JioCinema and Hotstar, catering to more than 750 million viewers domestically and millions more in the Indian diaspora worldwide.
Sports as a Cornerstone:
The JV boasts one of the most comprehensive portfolios of sports rights ever assembled, consolidating major global and domestic competitions under one roof. Among its offerings are the Indian Premier League (IPL), Indian Super League (ISL), Women’s Premier League (WPL), Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), International Cricket Council (ICC), FIFA, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket Australia (CA), Cricket South Africa (CSA), Premier League (PL), LALIGA, Serie A, Big Bash League (BBL), Ligue 1, SA20, Major League Cricket (MLC), National Basketball Association (NBA), Badminton World Federation (BWF), MotoGP, and International Hockey Federation (FIH). This unparalleled collection positions the JV as a leading destination for sports enthusiasts across India.
Visionary Leadership Team
Under the stewardship of Mrs. Nita M. Ambani as chairperson and Mr. Uday Shankar as vice chair, the JV has assembled an impressive leadership team to spearhead its growth:
- Sanjog Gupta (CEO, Sports): Driving excellence in sports broadcasting and live event production, Gupta brings a deep understanding of India’s sports ecosystem.
- Ishan Chatterjee (Head of Sports Revenue and Business): Focused on maximizing the commercial potential of the JV’s expansive sports rights portfolio.
- Hursh Shrivastava (Head of Partnerships): Building strategic alliances with key stakeholders in sports and broadcasting.
- Radhe Shyam Adidam (SMB Revenue Operations Lead): Leading revenue growth from small and medium-sized advertisers and sponsors.
- Sunil Pasricha (Head of Sports Revenue Operations): Ensuring operational efficiency and optimising revenue streams in the sports division.
This dynamic team, supported by the resources and expertise of Reliance and Disney, is well-positioned to deliver world-class content and innovative viewing experiences.
The merger represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Indian media. By combining cutting-edge technology with an unmatched content library, the JV will deliver immersive and diverse viewing experiences across TV, digital, and on-demand platforms. The collaboration is expected to spark a new era of innovation, catering to India’s evolving entertainment and sports preferences.
As this media giant takes shape, it promises to not only set new industry standards but also captivate audiences with a seamless blend of quality, scale, and innovation.