Reliance Bodhi Tree 60 Percent Stake in Disney India Merger Valuing 3.5 Billion US Dollars Operation

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance is close to merging its Indian media business with Walt Disney with a 51 percent-54 percent stake. Under this deal, the value of the Indian operations of the American giant is believed to be $ 3.5 billion (approximately Rs 29,043 crore). Bodhi Tree, a joint business between James Murdoch and former top Disney executive Uday Shankar, is also set to take about a 9 percent stake in the new merger, three of its sources told a news agency.

The valuation of Disney's India unit is significantly lower than the $15-$16 billion (roughly Rs. 1,24,475 crore – Rs. 1,32,774 crore) it was valued at when Disney acquired it in 2019, Reuters reported. Disney's TV and streaming business is struggling in India. Over the years, its digital platform has been facing an exodus of users amid tough competition over cricket streaming with Ambani's platform.

The deal will strengthen Reliance's hold on India's $28 billion (roughly Rs. 2,32,351 crore) media and entertainment market, especially after the $10 billion (roughly Rs. 82,982 crore) merger between Japan's Sony and India's Zee Entertainment. After the deal fell through last week.

Reliance, Disney and Bodhi Tree had not responded to Reuters requests for comment at the time of writing, according to the report.

Reliance and Disney own 120 television channels along with a streaming service. Certainly, if this merger happens, it could have a major impact on competitors.

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