The handshake between Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and Disney Star is all set to revolutionize India’s broadcast landscape, especially when it comes to the Indian religion of unparalleled significance – Cricket. Notably, cricket faces significant monopolization.
Jio Cinema’s Rise and Disney Hotstar Integration
Various platforms will be impacted by the consolidation, be it digital or traditional since the Jio Cinema will emerge as a premier destination for cricket content.
Jio Cinema, under the merger, shall host a wide range of cricket events, including ICC tournaments and the IPL, whereas the Star Sports will retain its position as the primary linear platform.
The merger may see the integration of Disney Hotstar into Jio Cinema, with Hotstar’s ICC broadcasting rights transitioning to Jio Cinema. This revolutionary INR 70,352 crore merger shall have Star Sports continuing to broadcast ICC events and the IPL.
Regulatory Hurdles and Joint Venture Prospects
With the potential shift of avenues like India’s bilateral cricket series and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) from Sports 18 to Star sports, the future of the former remains uncertain.
Including the scrutiny by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), the implementation of these changes depends on the regulatory approvals.
Led by Nita Ambani and Uday Shankar, the joint venture has to navigate through the legal hurdles ahead and if the odds fall in favour, it would take another 10-12 months to materialize, which means that the Hotstar and Star Sports will continue broadcasting major events like IPL 2024 as well as the T20 World Cup.
This integration of Viacom18 and Star India signifies a broader transformation in the industry. The vigil by regulatory bodies like BCCI and the ICC, cricket partnerships can expect strengthened collaborations with Jio and Disney Star on expanded platforms.
