CCI Raises Concerns Over $8.5 Billion Reliance-Disney Merger

August 22, 2024

The $8.5 billion merger between Reliance and Disney is under the spotlight as India’s antitrust body, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), examines its impact on competition in the media sector.

Market Dominance and Competition

This merger will create the largest entertainment company in India, bringing together 120 TV channels and two streaming services. The CCI is worried that this might reduce competition, as it could limit the number of significant players in the market, potentially making it harder for smaller companies to compete.

Impact on Advertising Rates

One major concern is how this merger could affect advertising costs. With the new company controlling about 40% of the TV and streaming ad market, there is a fear that they could raise ad prices, especially during popular events like cricket matches, where advertising space is highly sought after.

Cricket Broadcasting Rights

The merger will also give the company control over valuable cricket broadcasting rights, including those for the Indian Premier League (IPL). The CCI is concerned that holding these rights could give the company too much power, allowing it to increase advertising costs and limit consumer choices.

Previous Concessions and Complications

Reliance and Disney have suggested selling off fewer than 10 TV channels to ease these concerns. However, they are reluctant to sell their cricket broadcasting rights due to existing contracts. This resistance adds complexity to the approval process and might cause delays. The CCI’s scrutiny is similar to what happened in a previous case involving a proposed merger between Zee and Sony in 2022. Despite offering solutions to ease competition concerns, that merger ultimately failed to go through. The CCI has asked Reliance and Disney to respond within 30 days, stressing the importance of addressing these competition concerns to move forward with the merger.

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