Disney and Reliance to Shut Down Regional Channels

Walt Disney and Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) plan to shut down several Hindi and regional channels, including those in Kannada, Marathi, and Bangla, from Star India and Viacom18.

As reported by the Economic Times, this move is intended to secure approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for their proposed merger, which was announced in February this year.

The CCI requires approval for mergers involving entities with a market share exceeding 40% in any specific category, as these are considered dominant in the market.

What would be the outcome if Disney and Reliance merged?

If the merger is approved, the combined entity would control over 40% of the market share, positioning it as a major competitor to Sony, Zee Entertainment, Netflix, and Amazon. The merged company would manage 120 TV channels and two streaming services.

According to the report, the new entity would also dominate sports broadcasting, securing exclusive rights to major cricket and non-cricket events.

When Will the Merger Be Finalized:

The merger is expected to be finalized by October, with a deadline of February 2026 to complete the process. Reliance Industries will hold a 56% controlling stake, while Disney will acquire a 37% stake.

James Murdoch and Uday Shankar’s Bodhi Tree Systems will hold a 7% share. Uday Shankar is expected to serve as vice-chairperson, with Nita Ambani likely to be the chairperson.