Indian entertainment enters new era with Reliance-Disney JV: Ambani

Following regulatory approvals, Reliance Industries (RIL), Viacom18 Media, and The Walt Disney Company have finalized the merger of Viacom18’s media assets and JioCinema into Star India. Reliance has invested ₹11,500 crore (USD 1.4 billion) into this new venture, valued at approximately ₹70,352 crore (USD 8.5 billion). This JV, controlled by RIL and headed by Nita Ambani, combines Star, Colors, JioCinema, and Hotstar for a broad array of content across entertainment and sports. Mukesh Ambani and Disney’s Robert Iger both emphasized the collaboration’s potential to offer affordable, expansive digital media for Indian audiences and the diaspora.
Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, has hailed the JV as transformational.

“With the formation of this JV, the Indian media and entertainment industry is entering a transformational era. Our deep creative expertise and relationship with Disney, along with our unmatched understanding of the Indian consumer will ensure unparalleled content choices at affordable prices for Indian viewers. I am very excited about the JV’s future and wish it all the success," Mukesh Ambani said.