SUMMARY
- Reliance-Disney media merger expected to complete by 3Q FY25.
- The combined entity will be India’s largest media company, valued at Rs 70,000 crore.
- Reliance will hold a 63.16% stake, while Disney will own 36.84%.
The much-anticipated merger between the media assets of Reliance Industries and Disney India is expected to be completed by the third quarter of FY25. Both companies have secured Competition Commission of India (CCI) approval, along with sanction from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for the Scheme of Arrangement, which will merge their business operations.
According to a stock exchange filing by Reliance, the companies are currently in the process of obtaining further regulatory approvals to complete the transaction. This merger will create the largest media empire in India, valued at over Rs 70,000 crore.
Under the terms of the deal, Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) and its affiliates will hold 63.16% of the merged entity, while Walt Disney will retain the remaining 36.84%. The combined company will manage 120 television channels and two leading streaming services, making it the largest media conglomerate in India.
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of RIL, has committed an additional Rs 11,500 crore to support the joint venture, aiming to strengthen its position against competitors like Netflix and Sony. Nita Ambani, wife of Mukesh Ambani, will lead the joint venture, with Uday Shankar serving as its Vice-Chairperson.
This strategic move aligns with RIL’s ambitions to dominate India’s media landscape by leveraging both local and global content, along with advanced streaming platforms. The deal is expected to significantly reshape the media and entertainment sector in India.
