New Delhi: In a significant move ahead of its impending merger with Walt Disney’s Star India, Viacom18 has welcomed Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani, the Chairperson and Chairman of Reliance Foundation and Reliance Jio Infocomm, respectively, to its board. The Ambanis’ addition to the board comes at a crucial time as the merger is poised to create a dominant force in India’s streaming market.
Joining the Ambanis on the board are James Murdoch, co-founder of Bodhi Tree Systems, and Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hardan, representing Bodhi Tree’s interests on behalf of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Additionally, Jyoti Deshpande, Reliance Industries’ media and content head, and Shuva Mandal, a partner at Anagram Partners, have been appointed to the board.
The anticipated merger is expected to result in a significant consolidation in the Indian streaming market, capturing nearly 50% of the market share. This consolidation is anticipated to enhance the entity’s bargaining power with content creators and advertisers.
ALSO READ: TRAI Enforces URL Whitelisting to Counter SMS Abuse
By combining Disney’s vast content library with Reliance’s regional expertise and securing broadcasting rights to major cricket tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL), the new entity is poised to offer substantial value to consumers.
Initially announced in February, the merger will culminate in India’s largest entertainment conglomerate, bringing together a diverse portfolio of 120 TV channels and two streaming platforms. The finalization of the deal is expected by October, with completion aimed for February 2026.
