Page 4 - Disney

Reliance-Disney merger likely to capture 50% of India's streaming market

Last month, Reliance agreed to acquire Disney's India business, creating an $8.5 billion media giant ranging from film and television production to news and sports content.

Viacom-Star merger will reduce bargaining power: Advertising industry

The merger of the Indian media business of Walt Disney with Reliance Industries' Viacom18 will create a "significant dominant player", which might reduce the bargaining power for media buying agencies, the country's advertising industry has said. The Rs 70,000-crore behemoth, created post-merger may enable it to exert greater control over pricing and inventory of media rights and also influence over content, advertising industry leaders said. According to the experts, the merged entity will almost have a monopoly in sports properties as it will collectively control 75-80 per cent of the Indian sports market, in both linear TV and digital platforms and may uptick the rates. The joint venture, which is expected to receive approvals by the first quarter of 2025, will have over 70 channels from Star India and 38 TV channels from Viacom18 in eight languages, along with two large OTT platforms -- Jio Cinema and Hotstar -- and two film studios owned by each of them. "The Star-Viacom merge

Disney grandchildren back CEO Iger & board, slam activist investors

The four grandchildren of Roy Disney, in an open letter to Disney shareholders expressed concerns about the threat posed by "self-anointed" activist investors

Tech, cricket big wins for billionaire Ambani in Disney-Reliance tie-up

Reliance's JioCinema is largely free and doesn't disclose user numbers, having started a premium paid offering just last year

Reliance-Disney merger draws Nita Ambani back to business spotlight

Her decision to take the role is a strong signal "that this (media) business is close to the family's heart," said a person familiar with Disney-Reliance deal talks

Reliance, Disney sign $8.5 bn deal to form JV, to merge media ops in India

Reliance, led by Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani, will inject $1.4 billion in the merged entity, with the company and its affiliates holding a more than 63% stake

Nita Ambani likely to be chair of merged Reliance-Disney media business

The plans could change ahead of an official announcement. Reliance did not respond to a request for comment, while Disney declined to comment

RIL in talks for stake in Tata Play, may buy Disney's 29.8% share

JioCinema may offer entire content suite to Tata Play customers

Walt Disney's stock soars on strong results ahead of face-off with Peltz

The entertainment giant issued an upbeat profit outlook for the year, giving Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger ammunition to deflect proxy challenges at its shareholder meeting this spring

Disney's investment in Epic Games signals company has to 'be there'

Shares of the stock surged on Thursday, the day after its earnings report, gaining more than 10% in what would be their best day in more than three years

Disney wants secrets kept confidential in lawsuit with DeSantis appointees

Disney wants to keep confidential any proprietary information or trade secrets that comes out of its state court fight with Gov. Ron DeSantis' appointees over who controls the governing district at Walt Disney World. The entertainment giant asked a state court judge on Friday for a protective order allowing it to designate documents and depositions as confidential and requiring parties handling them to sign a nondisclosure agreement. The litigation is likely going to involve the disclosure of trade secrets, as well as technical, financial and personal information, which could result in significant harm if they are made public, Disney said in its request. The request was unopposed by the DeSantis appointees. Disney supporters had run the district, which provides municipal services such as firefighting, planning and mosquito control, for more than five decades after the Legislature created it in 1967. But legislation passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by DeSant

Reliance, Bodhi Tree set for 60% stake in Disney India merger: Report

The valuation of Disney's India unit is sharply lower than the $15-$16 billion estimated when Disney acquired it in 2019

'Sony, Zee clash over Russia assets, cricket before India merger collapse'

The communications between Sony's legal and M&A executives in India and Los Angeles with top Zee executives provide undisclosed details on the high-stakes backroom tussle

Amazon's video advertisement push aims to turn TVs into shopping carts

For decades, TV commercials have inspired and influenced future buying decisions rather than impulse purchases, and that hasn't changed in the streaming era

Walt Disney's India unit market valuation halves in Reliance merger talks

After weeks of negotiations following a non-binding pact with Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd. to merge their entertainment business

Zee walks back on $1.4 bn TV cricket rights deal with Disney: Report

Zee in August told Indian stock exchanges it had signed a strategic licence agreement with Disney to take over certain International Cricket Council TV broadcast rights

Zee reported to have missed $200 mn cricket fee deadline to Disney

The Indian entertainment company was betting on the TV rights to retain its viewership and attract more advertisers in the cricket-crazy nation of more than 1.4 billion people

Reliance, Disney start antitrust diligence on India media merger: Report

Reliance has appointed Indian law firm Khaitan & Co and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, while Disney has roped in AZB & Partners, the people said

Disney's Mickey Mouse enters public domain as 95-year-old copyright expires

Mickey Mouse's first screen release in the 1928 short film 'Steamboat Willie', featuring both him and Minnie Mouse, became available for public use from January 1

Year Ender: 10 big events that shaped the Indian corporate world in 2023

From Hindenburg's report on the Adani Group to the signing of the biggest aircraft orders by Air India and Indigo, India saw several important corporate news in 2023. Here are the 10 most significant