Reliance and Disney Forge Strategic Partnership to Integrate Digital Streaming and TV Assets in India

Reliance and Disney have unveiled an ambitious joint venture aimed at integrating their digital streaming and television assets within the burgeoning Indian market.

The collaboration seeks to merge the operations of Viacom18 and Star India under a unified entity named Star India Private Limited (SIPL), facilitated by a court-approved scheme of arrangement. As per the agreement, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) will assume a 16.34 percent stake in the joint venture, with Viacom18 and Disney holding 46.82 percent and 36.84 percent stakes, respectively.

In a substantial show of commitment, Reliance has pledged to inject Rs. 11,500 crore into the venture, earmarked for fueling its growth trajectory and strategic initiatives. The stakeholders have affirmed that this investment positions the joint venture at a valuation of Rs. 70,352 crore on a post-money basis.

Steering the helm of this newly consolidated entity will be Nita Ambani, assuming the role of Chairperson, while Uday Shankar, Co-Founder of Bodhi Tree Systems, will serve as Vice Chairperson, providing invaluable strategic guidance. This amalgamation is poised to unite two of India’s premier digital streaming platforms, JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, heralding a new era of content synergy and viewer engagement.

Disney’s pivotal role in the joint venture lies in its provision of content licenses and access to its extensive library of films and shows. Furthermore, Disney has granted exclusive distribution rights for its coveted content assets in India, encompassing a diverse catalogue of over 30,000 titles.

Beyond content licensing, Disney remains open to the possibility of contributing additional media assets to the joint venture, contingent upon regulatory approvals and third-party consent. This strategic partnership between Reliance and Disney holds transformative potential, poised to redefine the landscape of digital entertainment in India while enriching the content offerings available to millions of viewers nationwide.

Calling it a “landmark agreement”, Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries said, “We have always respected Disney as the best media group globally and are very excited at forming this strategic joint venture that will help us pool our extensive resources, creative prowess, and market insights to deliver unparalleled content at affordable prices to audiences across the nation.” The transaction, which is currently subject to regulatory and other approvals, is expected to be completed by the end of the ongoing year, or by the first quarter of 2025.