Reliance Industries is reportedly closing in on a deal to acquire Walt Disney Co’s India operations, which are valued at around $10 billion.
According to sources as reported to Reuters familiar with the matter, the deal will be a cash-and-stock transaction that will see Reliance Industries take control of Disney’s India business.
As Asia’s richest tycoon, Mukesh Ambani, controls Reliance Industries, the acquisition would be a significant move for the Indian conglomerate.
Disney’s India business includes the Disney Star channels and the Hotstar streaming service, which has become increasingly popular in the country.
The acquisition would give Reliance Industries a significant presence in India’s media and entertainment industry, which is expected to grow rapidly over the next few years.
The deal would also strengthen Reliance’s position in the market, where it already operates the Viacom18 broadcasting venture and JioCinema streaming service.
If the deal goes through, it would mark another major acquisition for Reliance Industries, which has been expanding its reach across various sectors in recent years.
The company has been investing heavily in digital services and e-commerce, and the acquisition of Disney’s India business would be another step towards its goal of becoming a dominant player in India’s digital economy.
The Potential Deal
Reliance’s Offer
According to sources familiar with the matter, Reliance Industries is nearing a cash and stock deal to buy Walt Disney Co’s India operations for around $10 billion. The deal is expected to give Reliance control of Disney’s Indian TV channels, including the popular Disney Channel, as well as its streaming service, Disney+ Hotstar.
Reliance is said to be offering between $7 billion to $8 billion for the assets, which Disney values at around $10 billion. The deal would give Reliance a controlling stake in Disney’s India business, with Disney retaining a minority stake.
Disney’s Response
Disney has not yet made a final decision on whether to accept Reliance’s offer, but sources suggest that an announcement could be made as early as next month. The potential deal comes as Disney has struggled to compete with Reliance’s own streaming platform, JioTV+, which has gained significant market share in India in recent years.
The sale of its India operations would mark a significant shift in strategy for Disney, which has been expanding its presence in the country in recent years. However, the company has faced challenges in the highly competitive Indian market, where it has struggled to achieve the same level of success as it has in other parts of the world.
Overall, the potential deal between Reliance and Disney represents a major development in the Indian media and entertainment industry. If the deal goes ahead, it could have significant implications for both companies, as well as for the wider industry as a whole.
Photo by Sandro Gonzalez
