Disney’s $8.5 Billion India Reliance Merger Goes Through

Photo: Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas

BENGALURU, (REUTERS) – Walt Disney Co and Reliance Industries won approval on August 28 for an $8.5 billion merger of their Indian media assets after assuaging regulatory worries about their grip on broadcasting rights for cricket, India’s favorite sport.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said the deal had been approved subject to modifications submitted voluntarily by the companies, without sharing further details. A detailed order will be issued in the coming days, clearing what was seen as the biggest hurdle for the deal.

To get the merger over the line, the two companies have offered concessions, including a commitment to not raise advertising rates unreasonably for streamed cricket matches, and to sell 7-8 non-sports TV channels, a source familiar with the matter said.

It will also give Reliance owner Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest person, a stronger hold on the $28 billion media and entertainment sector. The regulatory nod comes a day before Ambani is set to address Reliance shareholders at its Annual General Meeting.

After asking Reliance and Disney around 100 questions related to the merger, the CCI raised concerns the new entity would control most cricket rights for TV and streaming in India and could hurt advertisers. Cricket has a fanatical following in India, the world’s most populous country with an estimated 1.4 billion people.

The companies also pledged not to bundle and sell advertising slots for different cricket tournaments and keep subscription rates for their offerings under regulatory limits, the source added.

Neither Reliance nor Disney immediately responded to requests for comment.

Both companies have offered free viewing of cricket matches over the years to attract users to their streaming platforms in the hope they will then buy subscriptions.

Karan Taurani, an analyst at India’s Elara Capital said the deal should close within six months as it still needs approval from an Indian company’s tribunal, which is expected to be granted.

Disney and Reliance’s merged entity will also own Indian broadcast rights for the Wimbledon tennis championship, MotoGP and the English Premier League, among other sporting events.