Introduction:
If this proposed merger between Reliance’s media unit Viacom18 and Walt Disney’s India business goes through, it has massive potential to Reliance and Disney’s Streaming Power Play disrupt the Indian media. With Viacom18 owning 38 channels, and Disney Star boasting almost 80 itself across India’s heavily populated landmass, the Reliance and Disney’s Streaming Power Play pairing of these media giants stands to form a combined entity that will be beyond powerful throwing down its gauntlet in television or online broadcasts everywhere.
Perhaps the most important aspect of such a merger would be its huge content base. And when Disney Hotstar finally comes together with Reliance’s JioCinema, the combined library would boast a staggering 200 thousand hours of content–everything from comics in foreign countries to Indian television dramas and movies along with sports events such soccer super matches. The extensive content available there not only emphasizes the breadth of their resources, but also opens them up to a variety of audience tastes.
The second-most downloaded video streaming app on smartphones last year was already a household name in India, Disney’s Hotstar. The figure is Reliance and Disney’s Streaming Power Play from an annual report on digital media trends in 2021 by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and EY. As such, its position in the Indian streaming market is already assured and a tie-up with Reliance’s JioCinema would propel it even further.
Recalling an integral part of the Indian cultural fabric, cricket is another layer in this collaboration. Disney’s Hotstar has the digital rights for International Cricket Council matches in India until 2027. In the latter case, however, Reliance’s JioCinema recently won out in a bidding war with Disney for broadcasting rights to India’s popular (and lucrative) Indian Premier League (IPL).
The dual advantage in cricket broadcasting offered by the merged entity means that it is like one-stop shopping for lovers of this sport. In a market where sports itself carry an air of gravitas, certainly potential profits are part and parcel too.
Reliance and Disney’s Streaming Power Play:
Reliance and Disney’s Streaming Power Play (Image Source: File:Disney+ Hotstar logo.svg – Wikipedia)
Recently, JioCinema has taken several strategic steps in this direction, including working with The Pokemon Company to bring streaming content for the mobile game and cutting a deal with Warner Bros. ahead of last month’s Cinemaa Awards show that it will be bringing more Hollywood and internationally originated content onto its platform than ever before. Not only does this expand the platform’s appeal to a larger audience, but it also places it in the role of an all-encompassing entertainment destination that satisfies many tastes and preferences.
In an era of digital streaming, the potential merger between Reliance and Disney is indicative that India’s media universe must adapt to evolving consumer needs. With the economies of scale derived from consolidating their television channels, with its vast content libraries and through strategic partnerships, the merged entity could become king in this cutthroat Indian market.
To sum up, the Reliance and Disney potential merger could be seen as a strategic pairing that would redraw the parameters of Indian media and entertainment industry. Based on its emphasis on variety in content, strategic partnerships and a monopoly over cricket broadcasting the newly formed streaming giant could open up a new era of catching people’s attention all across this country.
New India’s digital entertainment story The increasing competition between these two giants will also lead to the synergy of creative forces, and perhaps usher in a new turning point.
