Reliance, Disney may announce Star-Viacom18 merger this week

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Mumbai: Reliance Industries and the Walt Disney Company have signed a binding agreement to merge Viacom18 and Star India, with the deal expected to be announced early this week, people privy to the development told ET..

According to another person, Reliance may own 61% of the proposed combined company, with Disney holding 33% and Bodhi Tree Systems having the remaining 6%...

According to legal experts, the Competition Commission of India will scrutinise the merger deal due to the proposed merged entity's market share of over 40% in both TV and streaming..

Star-Viacom18 entity will own sports assets like the Pro Kabaddi League and Indian Super League, which is a 65:35 joint venture between Reliance and Disney...

The combined entity will have the TV and digital rights of all key sports properties including the Indian Premier League; International Cricket Council; cricket boards of India, Australia and South Africa; PKL, ISL, English Premier League; NBA and Olympics...

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