Walt Disney Co. is currently in initial discussions regarding the potential sale of its India streaming and television business. This move has raised questions about the future of its popular streaming platform, Hotstar, in the Indian market. Potential buyers in the mix include Gautam Adani, the prominent figure behind Jio, and Kalanithi Maran, the owner of Sun TV. Private equity funds are also being considered as potential buyers.
Disney's contemplation of this move involves exploring various options, such as selling certain segments of its Indian operations or even a combination of assets within the unit. However, it's crucial to emphasize that these discussions are still in the developing stages, and the outcome remains uncertain. No specific deal value has been mentioned at this point.
Disney's India operations, including Hotstar, have faced increasing competition in recent times, particularly from Reliance Industries' streaming platform, JioCinema, led by Mukesh Ambani. Ambani's strategy of offering free access to the Indian Premier League cricket tournament, formerly a Disney property, has disrupted the market. Hotstar, once a dominant player in the Indian streaming landscape, has witnessed a significant subscriber loss following the loss of streaming rights to the Indian Premier League. Despite its substantial user base, Hotstar's revenue per subscriber in India is notably lower compared to its international counterparts.
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