Reliance-Disney Mega Merger Set to Create $8.5B Media Giant by November – Disney+ Hotstar to Stream IPL 2025, JioCinema Joins Forces

The merger between Reliance Industries’ Viacom18 and Walt Disney’s Star India is set to be finalised by early November, sources say. After securing regulatory approvals in India, this deal will create the country’s largest media and entertainment company, valued at $8.5 billion.

Once the merger is complete, Viacom18’s assets will be transferred to Star India, which will be the operating company. The new entity will control over 100 TV channels and two streaming platforms. Disney+ Hotstar will be the primary streaming service, and it is expected to show the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025.

“Most of the work for the merger is done, and the combined company will likely begin operating under Star India by November 7,” said a source. However, this date could change slightly.

In its recent regulatory filing, Reliance stated that the merger should be finished by the third quarter of this financial year, pending final approvals.

A second source mentioned that international clearances, especially in the European Union, are still pending. “We are awaiting approvals in some regions where both Disney and Viacom18 operate,” the source added. Reliance Industries has yet to comment on this matter.

This merger, which was first announced in February, has been fast-tracked, taking just eight months to secure clearances from India’s Competition Commission (CCI), the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). The CCI has already granted conditional approval, with a detailed report expected soon.

Although the leadership structure is still being finalised, Kevin Vaz and Kiran Mani are expected to be co-CEOs, managing a workforce of about 8,000 people. However, job cuts may occur due to overlapping roles.

Vaz is set to lead the entertainment division, while Mani will oversee sports. Both currently serve as co-CEOs of Viacom18. K Madhavan, Disney Star’s country manager, is expected to leave once the merger is completed.

Key executives expected to join the leadership team include Alok Jain, Mahesh Shetty, Piyush Goyal, Ishan Chatterjee, Sushant Sreeram, Hursh Shrivastava, Sanjog Gupta, and Ajit Andhare. Most of these individuals are from Viacom18 and JioCinema, except for Gupta, who leads sports at Disney Star.

Nita Ambani will chair the new company, with Uday Shankar serving as vice-chair.