Company:Viacom18

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Viacom18 Media Private Limited
TypeJoint venture
Viacom18
IndustryMedia conglomerate
FateTransferred all its assets to Disney Star and became a shareholder in the new entity JioStar with 46.82% stake
FoundedNovember 16, 2007; 18 years ago (2007-11-16)
HeadquartersLower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India[1]
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Kevin Vaz (CEO – Entertainment)
  • Kiran Mani (CEO – Digital)
  • Sanjog Gupta (CEO – Sports)
Owners
  • Reliance Industries
  • Bodhi Tree Systems
SubsidiariesJioStar (46.82%)
Websiteviacom18.com

Viacom18 Media Private Limited is an Indian media conglomerate. It is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries with a minority stake owned by Bodhi Tree Systems. It owns television channels and a film production studio in India. Following the merger of its assets with Disney Star, it continues to be the largest shareholder in the newly formed merged entity JioStar with a 46.82% stake.[2]

History

Founding and early years 2007–2011

In January 2010, Viacom18 went international with the launch of Colors in the United States. The channel is called Aapka Colors. In July 2010, it entered into 50/50 distribution joint venture with Sun Network, to form Sun 18.[3]

In December 2011, Viacom18 launched Nickelodeon Sonic, targeting children.[4]

ETV Network acquisition and rebranding 2014–2015

On 22 January 2014, TV18 acquired the non-Telugu language TV assets of ETV Network for ₹2,053 crore, with permission to use the ETV brand name.[5]

In March 2015, Viacom18 decided to rebrand all five non-Telugu language ETV regional general entertainment channels. ETV Marathi, ETV Gujarati, ETV Kannada, ETV Bangla, and ETV Odia were rebranded into Colors Marathi, Colors Gujarati, Colors Kannada, Colors Bangla, and Colors Odia respectively.[6]

Viacom's share acquisition 2018–2019

The company also owns Viacom18 Studios. On 31 January 2018, TV18 announced its acquisition of Viacom's majority in the joint venture, taking operational control and leaving Viacom with a minority interest.[7] On 1 October 2019, Viacom18 launched Colors HD in Malaysia on Astro Malaysia; every serial will be served with Malay and English subtitles. The company signed a deal with the National Basketball Association in order to deliver live NBA games to all of their own networks.[8]

Attempted mergers with Sony and Zee, partnership with Bodhi Tree Systems 2020–2023

In June 2020, Sony's Indian unit Sony Pictures Networks entered talks with Viacom18 regarding a merger, though the discussions advanced much later. The merger was supposed to provided Sony with a 74% shareholder in the merged company.[9] However, in October 2020, Reliance Industries,[10] the majority share holder in Viacom18, terminated the merger.[11][12]

In June 2021,[13] reports stated Viacom18 and Zee Entertainment Enterprises were reportedly in talks about a merger.[14] However, Zee denied any talks about a potential merger with Viacom18,[15] later entering talks with Sony Pictures Networks, which was also in talks about a merger with Viacom18 earlier.[16]

In January 2022, there were reports that Lupa India, an investment company set up by Uday Shankar and James Murdoch, were in the final stages of picking up a 39% stake in Viacom18.[17] thereby turning Paramount Global into a minority shareholder with a 10% share in the company.[18] In April 2022, Reliance announced that Bodhi Tree Systems, a company founded by Shankar and Murdoch with backing from the Qatar Investment Authority,[19] would make a US$1.8 billion investment in Viacom18 to "jointly build India's leading entertainment platform and pioneer the Indian media landscape's transformation to a 'streaming-first' approach." As part of the venture, JioCinema—a streaming service owned by Reliance's mobile operator Jio—would be brought under Viacom18. Paramount would remain a stakeholder and content partner. The deal was approved by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in September 2022.[20][21] The sale was completed on 17 April 2023, with Bodhi Tree acquiring a 13.08% stake in the venture, and diluting Paramount Global's stake to 13.01%.[22]

Merger with Disney Star 2023–present

In December 2023, it was announced that The Walt Disney Company India and Reliance had signed a non-binding term sheet for a merger. According to its terms, Reliance would hold 51% of the merged company in cash and stock, while Disney would own the remaining 49%. For purposes of the merger, a subsidiary of Viacom18 was going to be created to absorb Disney Star through a stock swap,[23] pending ratification and regulatory approval.[24][25][26][27]

In February 2024, Disney and Reliance reached a deal to merge their streaming and television assets, with the joint venture valued at $8.5 billion including synergies. As part of the deal, Viacom18 would be merged into Disney Star with Disney holding a 36.84% stake in the combined entity, which would bring together assets such as linear television entertainment channels StarPlus, Colors TV and the Star Gold Network, sports channels Star Sports and Sports18 and the streaming services JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar with Nita Ambani serving as the chairperson of the joint venture, with Uday Shankar serving as vice chairperson with the deal giving 16.34% to Reliance and 46.82% to Viacom18[23] and is expected to close sometime in late 2024 or early 2025 pending regulatory approval.[28][29]

In March 2024, it was reported that Paramount Global (now Paramount Skydance Corporation as of August 2025) was looking to sell its 13.01% stake in Viacom18 to Reliance, which already owned a 73.91% share via TV18.[30] Although Bloomberg News reported that the deal was unlikely to close, the deal was confirmed a week later for $517 million, its closure subject to regulatory approval and the completion of the joint venture between Viacom18 and Disney. Paramount would, however, continue to license its content to the company.[31]

On May 14, 2024, It was reported the deal between Disney and Reliance was approved by National Company Law Tribunal, with the JioCinema streaming service being moved to the Digital18 unit as part of the merger.[32][33]

On 28 August 2024, the CCI has approved the merger of Disney+ Hotstar with Viacom18.[34]

On 28 September 2024, the Central government gave a nod to the transfer of the non-news and current affairs TV channels held by Viacom18 to Star India subject to conditions laid by the Competition Commission of India.

On 14 November 2024, Reliance Industries Limited issued a media release stating that the merger of Viacom18 with Disney Star had become effective.[35][2]

Post merger with Disney Star 2024–Present

On 30 December 2024, Viacom18 Media Private Limited became a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd. after the conversion of 24.61 crore CCPS into equity shares, raising Reliance's stake to 83.88 %. Previously, Reliance held a 70.49 % diluted interest, and Viacom18 was a material subsidiary of Network18. Following the restructuring, it came under the direct control of Reliance.[36]

Owned channels

On-air channels

Channel Launched Language Category SD/HD Notes
Colors TV 2008 Hindi General Entertainment SD+HD
Colors Rishtey 2014 SD Previously Rishtey
MTV 1996 Youth SD+HD Formerly MTV HD+
Colors Cineplex 2016 Movies Formerly Rishtey Cineplex (original)
Colors Cineplex Bollywood 2021 SD
Colors Cineplex Superhits 2022 Previously Rishtey Cineplex (relaunch)
Colors Infinity 2015 English General Entertainment SD+HD
Nickelodeon 1999 Hindi
Tamil
Telugu
Malayalam
Bengali
Marathi
Gujarati
Kannada 		Kids SD
Sonic 2011
Nick Jr. 2012 Hindi
English
Nickelodeon HD+ 2015 HD
Colors Bangla 2000 Bengali General Entertainment SD+HD Previously known as ETV Bangla
Colors Bangla Cinema 2019 Movies SD HD version coming soon
Colors Gujarati 2002 Gujarati General Entertainment Previously known as ETV Gujarati
Colors Gujarati Cinema 2019 Movies
Colors Marathi 2000 Marathi General Entertainment SD+HD Previously known as ETV Marathi
Colors Tamil 2018 Tamil
Colors Kannada 2000 Kannada Previously known as ETV Kannada
Colors Super 2016 SD
Colors Kannada Cinema 2018 Movies

Defunct channels

Channel Launched Defunct Language Category SD/HD Notes
MTV Beats 2016 2025 Hindi Music SD+HD Formerly MTV Indies
Sports18 Khel 2022 Sports SD Replaced by Star Sports Khel
Comedy Central 2012 English General Entertainment SD+HD
VH1 2005 Music
Sports18 1 2022 Sports Replaced by Star Sports 2 Hindi
Sports18 2 2023 SD Replaced by Star Sports 2 Telugu
Sports18 3 Replaced by Star Sports 2 Tamil
FYI TV18 2016 2020 Hindi
English 		Lifestyle SD+HD
Colors Odia 2002 2025 Odia General Entertainment SD Previously known as ETV Odia

See also

  • Paramount International Networks
  • Paramount Networks EMEAA
  • Network18 Group
  • Reliance industries

References

  1. ↑ "Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd". Viacom18.com. http://www.viacom18.com/contact.html. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Reliance And Disney Announce Completion Of Transaction To Form Joint Venture To Bring Together The Most Iconic And Engaging Entertainment Brands In India". https://www.bseindia.com/xml-data/corpfiling/AttachLive/17c6f26c-637f-41d2-8361-f5badcc806ec.pdf. 
  3. ↑ "Beefing Up The Bouquet". business.outlookindia.com. http://business.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?270571. 
  4. ↑ "Viacom18 launches its new channel 'Sonic Nickelodeon' in India". India Infoline. 5 December 2018. http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/Viacom18-launches-its-new-channel-sonic-in-India/5303665136. 
  5. ↑ "Network18 finishes Rs 2,053-cr deal to acquire ETV stakes". The Economic Times. 22 January 2014. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/network18-finishes-rs-2053-cr-deal-to-acquire-etv-stakes/articleshow/29215772.cms. 
  6. ↑ "ETV re-branding to Colors". http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2015/03/viacom18-extends-colors-franchise-with-5-new-regional-avatars. 
  7. ↑ "TV18 to increase stake to 51% in Viacom18, the JV with Viacom Inc". 31 January 2018. https://www.viacom18.com/media/tv18-to-increase-stake-to-51-percentage-in-viacom18-the-jv-withviacom-inc. 
  8. ↑ "Viacom18 inks three-year media rights deal with NBA - Exchange4media" (in en). 3 December 2021. https://www.exchange4media.com/media-tv-news/viacom18-inks-three-year-media-rights-deal-with-nba-117167.html. 
  9. ↑ "Sony to own 74% after merger with Viacom 18, to battle Disney Star" (in en). 2020-07-21. https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/sony-to-own-74-after-merger-with-viacom-18-to-battle-disney-star. 
  10. ↑ "Reliance Industries calls off merger of Viacom18 with Sony" (in en). Oct 5, 2020. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/reliance-industries-calls-off-merger-of-viacom18-with-sony/articleshow/78493163.cms. 
  11. ↑ Jha, Lata (2020-10-05). "Sony's slated merger with Viacom18 now called off" (in en). https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/sony-viacom18-merger-called-off-11601888757116.html. 
  12. ↑ "Jio | Mukesh Ambani: With Jio in mind, Mukesh Ambani's RIL calls off merger of Viacom18, Sony". https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/post-rethink-ril-calls-off-merger-of-viacom18-sony/articleshow/78483506.cms. 
  13. ↑ Laskar, Anirudh (2021-06-20). "Viacom18 and Zee Entertainment in early merger talks" (in en). https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/viacom18-and-zee-entertainment-in-early-merger-talks-11624212805434.html. 
  14. ↑ "Viacom18 and Zeel eyeing a merger?" (in en). 2021-06-21. https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/gecs/viacom18-and-zeel-eyeing-a-merger-210621. 
  15. ↑ "ZEEL denies any potential merger deal with Viacom18 - Exchange4media" (in en). 21 June 2021. https://www.exchange4media.com/media-tv-news/zeel-denies-any-potential-merger-deal-with-viacom18-113705.html. 
  16. ↑ "ZEEL starts due diligence process for merger with Sony Pictures Networks" (in en). 20 October 2021. https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/zeel-starts-due-diligence-process-for-merger-with-sony-pictures-networks/2352817/. 
  17. ↑ Gupta, Surajeet Das (2022-01-27). "Uday Shankar, James Murdoch firm to pick up 39% stake in Viacom 18". Business Standard India. https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/uday-shankar-james-murdoch-firm-to-pick-up-39-stake-in-viacom-18-122012700024_1.html. 
  18. ↑ Laghate, Gaurav. "Uday Shankar, James Murdoch plan to pick up nearly 40% in Viacom18, Reliance to retain majority stake". The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/uday-shankar-james-murdoch-plan-to-pick-up-nearly-40-in-viacom18-reliance-to-retain-majority-stake/articleshow/89127603.cms. 
  19. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (2022-02-09). "James Murdoch, Uday Shankar Set Bodhi Tree as $1.5 Billion Qatar-Backed Media Investment Venture" (in en-US). https://variety.com/2022/biz/global/james-murdoch-uday-shankar-set-bodhi-tree-1235176011/. 
  20. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (27 April 2022). "James Murdoch's Bodhi Tree, Reliance, Viacom18 Strike $2 Billion Deal to Create Giant Indian TV and Streaming Company". https://variety.com/2022/tv/asia/james-murdoch-bodhi-tree-reliance-viacom18-2-billion-deal-1235242692/. 
  21. ↑ "CCI approves merger of Jio Cinema OTT with Viacom18 Media". The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/cci-approves-merger-of-jio-cinema-ott-with-viacom18-media/articleshow/94310448.cms. 
  22. ↑ "Bodhi Tree-Viacom18 deal: Why the new deal points towards Reliance's aggressive push in broadcasting business" (in en). 2023-04-17. https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/bodhi-tree-viacom18-deal-why-the-new-deal-points-towards-reliances-aggressive-push-in-broadcasting-business-377624-2023-04-17. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Prasad, Nikita (28 February 2024). "Reliance, Disney India merge streaming, TV assets to create ₹70,352 crore media powerhouse; 5 key highlights". Mint. https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/reliance-disney-india-merge-streaming-tv-assets-to-create-rs-70-352-crore-media-powerhouse-5-key-highlights-11709129039923.html. 
  24. ↑ Barman, Arijit; Farooqui, Jaaved (25 December 2023). "Reliance, Disney ink non-binding agreement for mega merger". Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/reliance-disney-ink-non-binding-agreement-for-mega-merger/articleshow/106255328.cms. 
  25. ↑ Sinha, Vaishnawi (25 December 2023). "Mukesh Ambani's Reliance-Disney Star deal explained: 10 points on mega-merger". Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/mukesh-ambanis-reliance-disney-star-deal-explained-10-points-on-megamerger-101703494970189-amp.html. 
  26. ↑ Kaustubh, Abhinav (9 November 2023). ""We'd Like To Stay," Disney CEO On Hotstar's Alleged Sale To Reliance Jio, Adani Group". The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/wed-like-to-stay-disney-ceo-on-hotstars-sale-to-reliance-jio-adani-group/articleshow/105090482.cms. 
  27. ↑ Akash, Sreenivasan. "What We Know About The $8.5 Billion Disney Merger With Reliance In India". https://www.forbes.com/sites/caileygleeson/2024/02/28/what-we-know-about-the-85-billion-disney-merger-with-reliance-in-india/?sh=17d403e7e512. 
  28. ↑ Goldsmith, Jill (28 February 2024). "Disney And Reliance Clinch Joint Venture In India". https://deadline.com/2024/02/disney-star-reliance-india-joint-venture-in-india-1235840411/. 
  29. ↑ "Reliance And Disney Announce Strategic Joint Venture To Bring Together The Most Compelling And Engaging Entertainment Brands In India". https://www.bseindia.com/xml-data/corpfiling/AttachLive/ea700929-d4cd-43d9-8d05-a6d2553436e8.pdf. 
  30. ↑ Whittock, Jesse (7 March 2024). "Paramount In Talks To Sell Stake In Viacom18 To Disney India Partner Reliance — Bloomberg". https://deadline.com/2024/03/paramount-reliance-talks-viacom18-stake-india-1235848866/. 
  31. ↑ Goldsmith, Jill (13 March 2024). "Paramount Global Sells Stake In Viacom18 To India's Reliance For $500 Million". https://deadline.com/2024/03/paramount-global-sells-viacom-18-stake-reliance-disney-star-1235857857/. 
  32. ↑ Kumar, Abhijeet (14 May 2024). "NCLT approves merger process for Reliance's arm Viacom18 and Star India". https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/nclt-approves-merger-process-for-reliance-s-arm-viacom18-and-star-india-124051700335_1.html. 
  33. ↑ Farooqui, Javed; Vyas, Maulik (17 May 2024). "NLCT sets the ball rolling on merger of Reliance's arm Viacom18 and Star India". https://m.economictimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/nclt-sets-the-ball-rolling-on-merger-of-reliances-arm-viacom18-and-star-india/articleshow/110192337.cms. 
  34. ↑ PTI (2024-08-28). "CCI clears mega-deal involving the merger of media assets of RIL and Walt Disney" (in en-IN). The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/competition-commission-clears-merger-of-rils-media-assets-with-walt-disney/article68576729.ece. 
  35. ↑ "RIL, Viacom18 and Disney complete merger to create a Rs 70,352 cr JV". The Economic Times. 2024-11-14. ISSN 0013-0389. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/ril-viacom18-and-disney-complete-merger-to-create-a-rs-70352-cr-jv/articleshow/115299610.cms?from=mdr. 
  36. ↑ Online, ET (31 December 2024). "Viacom18 becomes subsidiary of Reliance Industries". The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/viacom18-becomes-subsidiary-of-reliance-industries/articleshow/116834176.cms?from=mdr. 



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