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Disney Star, now JioStar India Private Limited (and formerly Star India), is an Indian media conglomerate joint venture between Disney India, Reliance Industries and the latters subsidiary Viacom18.[1][2][3][4][5] On 14 November 2024, Viacom18 merged its assets with Disney India's subsidiary Disney Star to form JioStar. The deal, valued at $8.5 billion, involved the investment of ₹11,000 crore (US$1.3 billion) by Reliance Industries, which left Reliance Industries with a total stake of 63.16%, 16.34% directly and 46.82 percent through Viacom18, with Disney India contolling the remaining 36.84%.[6] It is the largest television and entertainment network in India, operating more than 100 TV channels and a major streaming platform called JioHotstar.

Key Information

History

[edit]

Founding and early years (1990–2000)

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Star TV (Satellite Television Asian Region) was founded in 1990 as a joint venture between Hutchison Whampoa and Li Ka-shing. It launched Hollywood English-language entertainment channels for Asian audiences and in India as Star India.[7] Its first five channels included Star Plus (then an English-language entertainment channel), Star Chinese Channel, Prime Sports, MTV Asia (now Channel V) and BBC World Service Television (now simply BBC News).[7]

In 1992, Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation purchased 63.6% of Star India for $525 million, followed by the purchase of the remaining 36.4% on 1 January 1993. Star broadcasting operations were run from Rupert Murdoch's Fox Broadcasting premises.[8][9] It later launched Star Movies, Channel V, and Star News with a limited Hindi offering, and then Star Plus for Indian viewers.[10][11][12][13]

2001–2017

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In 2001, Star India acquired South India based Vijay TV, renaming it Star Vijay.[14] In 2003, Star India's Star News deal with NDTV ended. In the same year, the Indian government introduced a guideline limiting foreign equity in the national news business to 26%. At that time Star India was wholly owned by Hong Kong-based company Satellite Television Asia Region Ltd. As a result, Star India entered into a joint venture with the Anandabazar Patrika group (ABP) to form a new company, Media Content and Communications Services Pvt. Ltd. (MCCS), which took control of Star News' operations. ABP held a 74% majority stake, while Star India reduced its participation with the remaining 26% to comply with the regulations set for the uplinking of news and current affairs channels by the government of India. Star India, subsequently exited from this joint venture in 2012. After the split, the channel was renamed ABP News and operated by the Anandabazar Patrika Group.[13]

In 2004, Star One was launched as a Hindi youth-oriented channel.[15] In 2008, Star Jalsha and Star Pravah, Bengali and Marathi language general entertainment channels respectively, were launched.[16][17]

In 2009, Star India acquired Kerala-based media conglomerate Asianet Communications, which served Malayalam language content.[18] In August 2009, the Star Group restructured its Asian broadcast businesses into three units – Star India, Star China Media, and Fox International Channels Asia.[18]

In the same year, Star Affiliate and CJ Group of South Korea launched CJ Alive (later known as Shop CJ), a 24-hour Indian television shopping channel that used Star Utsav for hosting the television marketing programs in six-hour slots in its initial stage of launch. Star Affiliate exited the joint venture in May 2014.[19]

News Corporation launched a film production and distribution business in India through Fox Star Studios, an affiliate of Star India in the same year.[20]

In April 2012, Star India won the rights to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) through 2018, replacing Nimbus Communications. Valued at ₹3,851 crore (equivalent to ₹73 billion or US$860 million in 2023), the agreement included rights to India national cricket team home matches on television and mobile streaming, as well as domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup.[21]

On 6 November 2013, Star India rebranded its Star Sports channels, renaming the main Star Sports channel to Star Sports 1, Star Cricket to Hindi-language Star Sports 3, ESPN to Tamil-language Star Sports 4, and Star Cricket HD and ESPN HD to Star Sports HD1 and HD2.[22][23]

In February 2015, Star India launched its streaming service, Hotstar, a mobile and online entertainment OTT platform that features content in 9 Indian languages and broadcasts sporting events.[24][25][26] Star also acquired the broadcast businesses of Maa TV to boost its presence in Telugu-speaking markets, renaming it Star Maa.[27]

In February 2017, Star India and global media conglomerate TED announced a new TV series, TED Talks India – Nayi Soch. The programme starred Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and featured newer TED talks made in Hindi language. The programme followed the signature TED format of prominent speakers voicing their opinions in an 18-minute or less monologue in front of a live audience.[28][29]

On 28 August 2017, Star India rebranded its Hindi entertainment channel Life OK to Star Bharat.[30]

On 5 September 2017, Star India won the global media rights to broadcast the Indian Premier League (IPL) under a five-year deal beginning in the 2018 tournament, and valued at ₹163.475 billion (equivalent to ₹230 billion or US$2.7 billion in 2023). Beating previous rightsholder Sony, the contract included domestic rights for Star Sports, and digital rights for Hotstar.[31]

On 14 December 2017, The Walt Disney Company announced their intent to acquire Star India's parent company 21st Century Fox for US$52.4 billion.[32][33]

2018–2022

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Disney Star Logo (2022—2025)

In 2018, Star India renewed its BCCI rights through March 2023, in a contract valued at ₹61,384.1 crore (equivalent to ₹820 billion or US$9.7 billion in 2023).[34]

On 13 December 2018, Disney announced Uday Shankar who served as chairman of Star India would lead Disney's Asian operations and would become the new chairman of Disney India, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.[35] On 27 August 2018, the channel Star Life was launched in Africa in English language offering the English dubbed Indian Hindi series from the Indian star channels.[36][37]

On 4 January 2019, Star TV shut down its television operations in USA for the promotion of its digital counterpart, Hotstar.[38]

On 20 March 2019, Star India became a subsidiary of Disney India after the US$71.3 billion deal in the acquisition of former parent company 21st Century Fox was closed. Disney India now owned television channels of both its extant subsidiary UTV Software Communications and Star India.[39][40]

In April 2020, the Walt Disney Company merged Hotstar with Disney+ in India to form Disney+ Hotstar with Hotstar operating independently and coexisting with Disney+ in Canada and US,[41] since it launched on 4 September 2017; the United Kingdom on 13 September 2018;[42] and Singapore on 4 November 2020, prior to the launch of Disney+ in the country.[43]

On 30 December 2020, Disney announced that the Star branding would be replaced with Utsav from 1 February in the Netherlands,[44] with the Utsav Gold, Utsav Plus and Utsav Bharat branding launching in the UK on 22 January 2021. Star Vijay's international feed also changed a new logo based with Utsav Network in yellow colour and rebranded as Vijay TV around the world on that same day. Utsav Network separated into Star Gold, Plus and Bharat also launched in South Korea.[45]

On 31 August 2021, Disney announced that it would phase out Hotstar in the US and move all content into Hulu and ESPN+. Initially, it was announced that the service would shut down in the US by late 2022,[46] until it got moved to an earlier date on 30 November 2021.[47]

On 18 October 2021, Disney and Star announced that they would exit from the English general entertainment industry and that they would close down Star World and Star World Premiere in India originally planned by 30 November 2021 (although the Star Movies channels, alongside Disney International HD would not be affected). The Bangla and Marathi feeds of Star Sports 1 also closed on the same day. Meanwhile, the Star Gold brand expanded with the launch of an HD simulcast of Star Gold 2 that replaced UTV HD, alongside the rebranding of UTV Movies and UTV Action as Star Gold Romance and Star Gold Thrills. Star Movies Select HD, Star Movies Hindi, and Star Movies Tamil were also to be launched as SD simulcasts of Star Movies, becoming the first niche premium English movie channel in India to do so.[48] However, a delay in TRAI's new tariff order, followed by protests from digital cable operators and multi-system operators, caused the plans to be postponed till mid-March 2023.[49]

On 14 April 2022, Disney India rebranded Star India to Disney Star.[50] On 27 May 2022, Fox Star Studios was renamed just Star Studios, as part of the removal of the "Fox" name from the studios that had been acquired from 21st Century Fox by Disney.[51]

Merger with Viacom18 (2023–2024)

[edit]

In July 2023, The Walt Disney Company began exploring strategic options, including a sale or formation of a joint venture, for their businesses in India.[52] Between September and October 2023, the company held preliminary talks with Reliance Industries, billionaire Gautam Adani and Kalanithi Maran, owner of the Sun Group, for a potential sale of its streaming and linear television assets.[53][54] In late October 2023, it was reported that Disney was nearing a cash and stock deal with Reliance Industries for the sale of its operations in India, including a controlling stake in Disney Star. The assets Reliance would acquire are reportedly valued at around $7–8 billion and a transaction was to be announced as early as November.[55] Although Disney CEO Bob Iger refuted claims of a sale during a third-quarter earnings call, it was announced in December 2023 that Disney 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 (itself a subsidiary of Reliance) was created to absorb Disney Star through a stock swap,[56] pending ratification and regulatory approval.[57][58][59][60]

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 Star Plus, 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, with the deal being expected to close sometime in late 2024 or early 2025 pending regulatory approval.[56][61][62]

In March 2024, it was reported that Paramount Global was looking to sell its remaining 13.01% stake in Viacom18 to Reliance, which already owned a 73.91% share via TV18.[63] 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.[64]

In August 2024, the National Company Law Tribunal approved a deal between Disney and Reliance Industries where JioCinema and Viacom18 would be merged into Digital18.[65] In November 2024, Disney and Reliance Industries agreed to merge Star India and Viacom18. The deal was reported to be valued at $8.5 billion.[66]

Post merger (2025–present)

[edit]

On 14 February, 2025 JioStar combined the streaming services JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar to launch JioHotstar.[67]

On 6 August, 2025 it was reported that JioStar has acquired the exclusive broadcast and streaming rights for the US Open Tennis Championships for the next five years.[68]

Owned channels

[edit]

On-air channels

[edit]

India

[edit]
Channel Launched Language Category SD/HD Notes
StarPlus 1992 Hindi General Entertainment SD+HD
Colors TV 2008
Star Bharat 2017 Formerly Star One and Life OK
Star Utsav 2004 SD
Colors Rishtey 2014 Formerly Rishtey
Star Gold 2000 Movies SD+HD
Colors Cineplex 2016 Formerly Rishtey Cineplex (original)
Star Gold 2 2020 Formerly Movies OK and UTV HD
Star Gold Select 2017
Star Utsav Movies 2016 SD
Colors Cineplex Bollywood 2021
Colors Cineplex Superhits 2022 Formerly Rishtey Cineplex (relaunch)
Star Gold Romance 2023 Formerly UTV Movies
Star Gold Thrills Formerly UTV Action
MTV 1996 Youth SD+HD Formerly MTV HD+
Star Sports 1 Hindi 2017 Sports SD+HD Formerly Star Cricket
Star Sports 2 Hindi 2025 Replaced Sports18 1
Star Sports Khel SD Replaced Sports18 Khel
Colors Infinity 2015 English General Entertainment SD+HD
Disney International HD 2017 HD
Star Movies 1991 Movies SD+HD
Star Movies Select 2015
Star Sports 1 1996 Sports
Star Sports 2 2013
Star Sports 3 2018 SD Replaced Channel V
Star Sports Select 1 2016 SD+HD
Star Sports Select 2
Star 4K 2024 4K
Hungama TV 2004 Hindi
Tamil
Telugu 		Kids SD
Nickelodeon 1999 Hindi
Tamil
Telugu
Malayalam
Bengali
Marathi
Gujarati
Kannada 		SD
Sonic 2011 Formerly Sonic Nickelodeon and Nickelodeon Sonic
Nick Jr. 2012 Hindi
English
Nickelodeon HD+ 2015 HD
Disney Channel 2004 English
Hindi
Tamil
Telugu 		SD+HD
Disney Jr. 2012 SD
Super Hungama 2022 Formerly Toon Disney, Disney XD. and Marvel HQ
National Geographic 1998 English
Hindi
Tamil
Bengali 		Infotainment SD+HD
National Geographic Wild 2009
Colors Bangla 2000 Bengali General Entertainment Formerly ETV Bangla
Star Jalsha 2008
Star Jalsha Movies 2012 Movies
Colors Bangla Cinema 2019 SD HD version coming soon
Colors Gujarati 2002 Gujarati General Entertainment Formerly ETV Gujarati
Colors Gujarati Cinema 2019 Movies
Colors Marathi 2000 Marathi General Entertainment SD+HD Formerly ETV Marathi
Star Pravah 2008
Star Pravah Picture 2022 Movies
Star Kiran 2022 Odia General Entertainment SD
Star Vijay 1994 Tamil SD+HD Formerly Golden Eagle and Vijay TV
Colors Tamil 2018
Star Vijay Super 2016 Movies
Star Vijay Takkar 2022 SD Replaced Star Vijay Music
Star Sports 1 Tamil 2017 Sports SD+HD
Star Sports 2 Tamil 2025 Replaced Sports18 3, Star Life
Star Maa 2002 Telugu General Entertainment Formerly Maa TV
Star Maa Movies 2011 Movies Formerly Maa Movies
Star Maa Gold 2012 SD Formerly Maa Junior and Maa Gold
Star Maa Music 2008 Music Formerly Maa Music
Star Sports 1 Telugu 2018 Sports SD+HD
Star Sports 2 Telugu 2025 Replaced Sports18 2, Star Life
Colors Kannada 2000 Kannada General Entertainment Formerly ETV Kannada
Star Suvarna 2007 Formerly Asianet Suvarna
Colors Super 2016 SD
Star Suvarna Plus 2013 Movies Formerly Asianet Suvarna Plus
Colors Kannada Cinema 2018
Star Sports 1 Kannada 2018 Sports
Star Sports 2 Kannada 2025 Replaced Star Sports First
Asianet 1993 Malayalam General Entertainment SD+HD
Asianet Plus 2005 SD
Asianet Movies 2012 Movies SD+HD

International

[edit]
Channel Launched Language Category SD/HD Notes
Utsav Plus 2021 Hindi General Entertainment SD+HD UK and EU only
Utsav Bharat
Utsav Gold Movies
Star Select 2023 General Entertainment HD South Africa only
Star Khanya[69][70] 2025 isiZulu
Star Life Africa 2018 English SD+HD Africa only
Vijay TV 2021 Tamil SD Middle East and South‐East Asia only
Asianet Middle East 2010 Malayalam Middle East only

Defunct channels

[edit]
Channel Launched Defunct Language Category SD/HD Notes
Star One 2004 2011 Hindi General Entertainment SD Replaced by Life OK
Life OK 2011 2017 SD+HD Replaced by Star Bharat
Movies OK 2012 2020 Movies SD Replaced by Star Gold 2
UTV Movies 2008 2023 Replaced by Star Gold Romance
UTV Action 2010 Replaced by Star Gold Thrills
UTV HD 2018 HD Rebranded as Star Gold 2 HD
Channel V 1994 2018 Music SD Replaced by Star Sports 3
Bindass 2007 2025
MTV Beats 2016 2025 SD+HD Formerly MTV Indies
Sports18 Khel 2022 Sports SD Replaced by Star Sports Khel
Star News 1998 2012 News Sold & rebranded as ABP News
Star World 1991 2023 English General Entertainment SD+HD HD: discontinued SD: Replaced by Star Sports 1 Tamil HD[71]
FX 2010 2017 HD: Star Sports First[71]
SD: Star Sports Select 2 SD[71]
Comedy Central 2012 2025
Fox Crime 2010 2015 SD Replaced by Star Movies Select HD[71]
Star World Premiere 2011 2023 HD Replaced by Star Movies Select SD[71]
Star Movies Action 2013 2017 Movies SD Formerly Fox Action Movies replaced by Star Gold Select SD[71]
VH1 2005 2025 Music SD+HD
BabyTV 2009 2023 Kids
Star Cricket 2007 2013 Sports Replaced by Star Sports 3, Star Sports 1 Hindi
Sports18 1 2022 2025 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
Nat Geo Music 2007 2019 Hindi
English 		Music SD+HD Replaced by Nat Geo Telugu
FYI TV18 2016 2020 Lifestyle
Star CJ Alive 2009 2015 Shopping SD Replaced by Shop CJ
Star Life 2024 2025 English
Hindi 		Lifestyle SD+HD Formerly Fox Life
Replaced by Star Sports 2 Tamil HD &Star Sports 2 Telugu HD
Fox Life 2014 2024 English
Hindi
Bengali
Tamil 		Infotainment Replaced by Star Life
Disney XD 2009 2019 English
Hindi
Tamil
Telugu 		Kids SD Rebranded as Marvel HQ
Marvel HQ 2019 2022 Rebranded as Super Hungama
Star Sports 1 Bangla 2019 2023 Bengali Sports Discontinued
Star Ananda 2005 2012 News Sold & rebranded as ABP Ananda
Star Sports 1 Marathi 2019 2023 Marathi Sports Discontinued
Star Majha 2007 2012 News Sold & rebranded as ABP Majha
Colors Odia 2002 2025 Odia General Entertainment Previously known as ETV Odia
Star Vijay Music 2020 2022 Tamil Music Replaced by Star Vijay Takkar
Nat Geo Tamil 2019 2020 Infotainment Discontinued
Nat Geo Telugu Telugu

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Disney Star

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Disney Star was an Indian media and conglomerate wholly owned by , operating a vast portfolio of over 70 television channels across nine languages, including general , , , and kids' programming, while also managing digital streaming services that reached more than 700 million viewers monthly and over 50 million subscribers. It held significant broadcasting rights, such as those for the (IPL) and international events like the ICC Cricket World Cup, making it one of India's leading media entities with annual content production exceeding 30,000 hours. The company traces its origins to Star TV, founded in 1991 by Rupert Murdoch's as a pan-Asian broadcaster targeting and other markets. In 2018, acquired 21st Century Fox's assets, including Star India, in a $71 billion deal, gaining full control by early 2019 and rebranding the Indian operations as Disney Star. Under Disney's ownership, it expanded its digital presence through , launched in 2020 as a merger of Hotstar and Disney+ for the Indian market, which became a dominant streaming platform with premium content from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and local productions. Disney Star's operations were headquartered in and spanned entertainment channels like Star Plus ( general entertainment), Star Sports (sports ), and regional networks such as Star Maa (Telugu) and Star Jalsha (Bengali), alongside international feeds like . The company generated substantial revenue from , subscriptions, and sports rights, reporting significant viewership during major events and contributing to Disney's global in emerging markets. It also invested in , including popular reality shows, dramas, and films, fostering a strong cultural impact in . In February 2024, Disney announced a strategic merger of its Indian media assets with Viacom18 Media Private Limited (a Reliance Industries subsidiary) and Bodhi Tree Systems, valuing the joint venture at $8.5 billion and aiming to create India's largest media powerhouse with over 100 channels and a combined 50 million streaming subscribers. The transaction received regulatory approvals, including from the Competition Commission of India in August 2024, and was completed on November 14, 2024, forming JioStar India Private Limited, controlled by Reliance with Disney holding a 36.84% stake. As of 2025, JioStar continues Disney Star's legacy, integrating platforms like JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar into the unified streaming service JioHotstar while distributing Disney's global content in India.

History

Founding and early years (1990–2000)

Star TV, originally known as the Satellite Television Asian Region, was established in 1990 as a joint venture between Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa Limited and the family of billionaire Li Ka-shing, with operations headquartered in the city. Led by Richard Li, son of Li Ka-shing, the company aimed to deliver pan-Asian satellite broadcasting services, focusing on English-language programming to reach urban, affluent audiences across the region with international content from partners like BBC, MTV, and ESPN. The network launched its inaugural channels on December 15, 1991, including Star Plus, which marked the first foreign satellite channel to beam Hindi-language content into , bypassing the government-controlled monopoly through direct-to-home satellite transmission via the AsiaSat 1 satellite. This entry coincided with 's economic liberalization policies initiated in 1991, which opened doors for foreign media but initially faced resistance, as the signals reached homes via imported dish antennas despite official curbs. Star TV's programming mix of , sports, music, and news quickly gained traction among middle-class viewers in urban and . In July , Rupert Murdoch's acquired a controlling 63.6% stake in Star TV for $525 million, redirecting resources toward the rapidly liberalizing Indian market, where economic reforms had spurred foreign investment and consumer growth. Under this ownership, the network expanded its offerings, introducing the English-language entertainment channel in 1994 and transitioning to full 24-hour broadcasting across its lineup to enhance viewer engagement in diverse time zones. These developments positioned Star TV as a pioneer in regional content adaptation, with feeds tailored for local languages and preferences. Early operations encountered regulatory hurdles, including a 1991 Indian government directive banning the import and use of antennas to safeguard national broadcasting sovereignty, leading to seizures and legal ambiguities that temporarily disrupted installations. However, enforcement proved challenging, and the issues were largely addressed by the Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995, which formalized cable and distribution guidelines, allowing compliant operations by 1996. Star TV's revenue in this period derived primarily from , attracting multinational brands such as and Colgate that entered following the 1991 reforms, leveraging the network's reach to tap into an emerging middle-class market estimated at over 300 million potential viewers.

Expansion under News Corporation (2001–2017)

Under 's ownership, Star India pursued aggressive localization strategies to deepen its penetration in the Indian market, beginning with the acquisition of a majority stake in the Tamil channel Vijay TV in 2001, which was later rebranded and expanded as in 2005 to cater to regional audiences in . This move was part of a broader effort launched in February 2001, aimed at aligning the network's identity more closely with Indian cultural preferences and boosting viewership through Hindi and regional content. By 2006, had established itself as a leading Tamil entertainment channel, followed by the launch of in September 2008, targeting Bengali-speaking viewers in eastern with localized programming that included family dramas and cultural shows, helping Star capture a larger share of non-Hindi markets. The company's expansion into sports broadcasting marked a pivotal phase, with the rebranding of ESPN Star Sports to Star Sports in June 2012 after News Corp acquired Disney's 50% stake, culminating in a full network relaunch in November that positioned Star as a dominant force in Indian sports television. A key milestone was securing the global broadcast rights for (ICC) events from 2007 to 2015 in a $1.1 billion deal through the ESPN Star Sports , which included major tournaments like the and significantly elevated Star's profile among cricket enthusiasts. Although Star did not hold initial IPL broadcasting rights, its sports investments, including the 2013 rebrand and subsequent acquisitions, solidified its status as India's premier sports network by integrating live events with innovative formats like the launched in 2014. Challenges emerged in bidding wars, such as the 2012 competition for Indian home cricket series rights (2012–2018), where Star outbid with a 4.1 billion rupee offer, amid intense rivalry from Zee and that strained budgets and intensified market competition. In 2015, Star India pivoted to digital with the launch of Hotstar on as a video-on-demand catch-up service for its TV content, initially focusing on mobile streaming to tap into 's growing smartphone user base. By the end of 2017, Hotstar had rapidly scaled to 75 million monthly active users, driven by live sports streaming and original content, marking a shift from traditional TV towards digital dominance and generating substantial ad revenue in a nascent OTT market. Major developments included the launch of Life OK in December 2011 as a general entertainment channel targeting urban youth with fiction and reality shows, which was later rebranded to in 2017 to consolidate Star's portfolio. By 2017, Star India had expanded to over 50 channels across genres and languages, reflecting its growth from a nascent player to a market leader. Revenue surged from approximately ₹1,000 in 2001 to around ₹10,000 by 2017, fueled by a 30% share in TV advertising revenues, though this dominance faced pressures from competitors like Zee Entertainment and in content wars and rights auctions.

Acquisition by The Walt Disney Company (2018–2022)

In 2019, The Walt Disney Company completed its $71.3 billion acquisition of select assets from 21st Century Fox, which included full ownership of Star India, a major Indian media conglomerate previously under News Corp ownership since 1993, with Disney holding a 50% stake in the ESPN Star Sports joint venture for sports content. The deal, announced in December 2017 and finalized on March 20, 2019, aimed to bolster Disney's global content portfolio by integrating Star India's extensive television networks, sports rights, and digital platforms into its ecosystem. This acquisition granted Disney control over Star's operations in India, Southeast Asia, and other regions, enhancing its position in emerging markets. Regulatory approvals for the merger in India were secured from the Competition Commission of India in August 2018, paving the way for the transaction's closure without significant conditions related to Star India. Following the acquisition, Disney accelerated integration efforts, particularly in digital streaming. In March 2020, Disney launched Disney+ Hotstar in India by merging its global Disney+ service with the existing Hotstar platform, which Star India had developed as a leading video-on-demand app. This bundling provided Indian subscribers access to Disney's premium content library, including Marvel Cinematic Universe films and original series, alongside Hotstar's local sports and entertainment offerings, at tiered subscription prices starting from ₹399 annually for the VIP plan. By April 2022, Star India underwent an official rebranding to Disney Star, aligning its identity more closely with Disney's global brands and emphasizing the integration of Disney's family-oriented content. This rebranding included the incorporation of Disney Channel programming across Disney Star's networks, such as enhanced availability of animated series and movies on channels like Disney Channel India, and the launch of Star Utsav Movies, a new Hindi movie channel targeting mass-market audiences with Bollywood and regional films. Key developments during this period underscored Disney Star's growing dominance in sports and digital media. In June 2022, Disney Star secured television broadcast rights for the (IPL) tournament for the 2023–2027 cycle in a landmark deal valued at ₹23,575 as part of the overall ₹48,390 media rights auction, retaining its position as the primary TV broadcaster for the event. By late 2022, had expanded to approximately 300 million monthly active users, driven by live streaming and localized content, marking significant growth in India's competitive OTT market. The COVID-19 pandemic further shifted Disney Star's strategy toward streaming, with accelerated investments in digital platforms amid theater closures and lockdowns. This focus enabled exclusive releases of Marvel content tailored for Indian audiences on , including the full library and series like (2022), which featured a Pakistani-American lead resonating with South Asian viewers, boosting engagement during restricted physical entertainment periods.

Merger with Viacom18 (2023–2024)

On February 28, 2024, and Limited announced a merger valued at approximately $8.5 billion (₹70,352 ) between Disney Star and , Reliance's media subsidiary, to consolidate their television broadcasting and streaming assets in . The transaction involved merging Viacom18's media undertaking into Star India Private Limited through a court-approved . Under the deal structure, Reliance, through its subsidiary , committed to investing $1.4 billion (₹11,500 crore) to acquire a 16.34% direct stake in the combined entity upon closing. This resulted in Reliance holding effective control with 63.16% ownership (combining its 16.34% stake and Viacom18's 46.82% stake), while retained 36.84%. The aimed to create India's largest media company by audience reach, encompassing linear TV, digital streaming, and sports content. The merger encountered regulatory hurdles from the (CCI), which approved the combination on August 27, 2024, following an assessment of potential anti-competitive effects in the and markets. Key conditions included the divestment of seven non-news television channels to mitigate and a voluntary commitment to avoid bundling advertising slots for major events, such as the and tournaments, with ' broader sports assets. These measures addressed concerns over dominance in broadcasting rights, which both entities held significant portions of. The transaction closed on November 14, 2024, officially forming JioStar as the Reliance-controlled . JioStar operates over 100 television channels and reaches approximately 450 million users across its platforms, combining the reach of Disney Star's Hotstar and Viacom18's . As part of the integration, Viacom18's network and streaming service were folded into the Disney Star portfolio, enhancing the entity's content library with regional entertainment and original programming. Immediate post-merger impacts focused on operational synergies, including unified sales across linear and digital platforms to streamline for advertisers. The combined content slate, valued at ₹70,000 , positioned JioStar as a dominant force in India's media landscape with integrated sports and general entertainment offerings.

Post-merger developments (2025–present)

Following the completion of the merger between Star India and in late 2024, the newly formed JioStar entered 2025 with a focus on integrating operations and expanding its media portfolio. In 2025, JioStar launched JioHotstar, a unified streaming platform that merged the user bases and content libraries of and , aiming to streamline services for n audiences. The platform debuted on February 14, offering a combined library of , sports, and regional content, with subscription plans starting at approximately $5.70 annually for basic access and up to $17.30 for premium ad-free tiers. By May 2025, JioHotstar had attracted over 280 million subscribers, reflecting strong initial adoption driven by exclusive sports rights and localized programming. JioStar further diversified its sports offerings in August 2025 by acquiring exclusive broadcasting and streaming rights to the US Open Tennis Championships for the Indian subcontinent, covering the period from 2025 to 2029. This five-year deal, valued as a strategic expansion beyond cricket, allowed JioStar to broadcast the tournament across its linear channels and JioHotstar, starting with the 2025 event from August 18 to September 7. The acquisition built on JioStar's prior tennis coverage through the legacy Disney Star rights and aimed to attract a broader demographic of sports enthusiasts in India. The (IPL) 2025 season marked a significant , shattering viewership and bolstering financial performance. Across JioStar's platforms, the reached over 1.19 billion unique viewers, with digital streams on JioHotstar alone accounting for 652 million users—a 28% increase from the previous year. Peak concurrency reached 55 million simultaneous viewers during the IPL final, and JioHotstar logged over 23 billion video views and 384.6 billion watch minutes digitally, with total watch time across platforms exceeding 840 billion minutes, underscoring the shift toward digital consumption. This surge directly contributed to JioStar's Q1 FY26 revenue of ₹11,222 (approximately $1.3 billion), a record high driven by advertising, subscriptions, and sponsorships tied to the IPL. Additional expansions included the launch of Star Khanya, an isiZulu-language channel targeting South African audiences, as part of JioStar's push into African markets to localize content and grow international reach. In Q2 FY26, the company reported a net profit of ₹1,322 , reflecting improved operational efficiency and sustained momentum from sports events. Despite these achievements, JioStar faced challenges in realizing full integration synergies from the merger, including harmonizing content distribution and technology platforms across legacy entities. Heightened competition from global streamers like and intensified pressure on subscriber acquisition and content licensing, with JioHotstar maintaining a 25% in India's SVOD space as of Q2 2025 but contending with rivals' investments in . In November 2025, JioHotstar crossed 1 billion downloads on , claiming over 300 million paid subscribers and 500 million monthly active users. On November 15, the granted an injunction restraining unauthorized streams on rogue websites, protecting JioStar's exclusive media rights. Additionally, on November 14, reported approximately $2 billion in charges for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 related to the restructuring of its businesses, including JioStar.

Corporate structure

Ownership and governance

Disney Star, originally established as Star India in 1991 under full ownership by , transitioned to majority ownership by following its $71.3 billion acquisition of in March 2019, which included Star India's assets. This marked Disney's control over one of India's largest media conglomerates until the 2024 merger. In February 2024, Disney announced a strategic with Limited (RIL) through its Viacom18, merging Star India's operations with Viacom18's media and JioCinema assets to form a new entity valued at $8.5 billion (₹70,352 crore) on a post-money basis, excluding synergies. The transaction closed on November 14, 2024, resulting in RIL holding a controlling 63.16% stake (16.34% directly via RIL and 46.82% via Viacom18), while Disney retains 36.84%. The joint venture, now operating as JioStar India Private Limited but retaining the Disney Star brand for its television operations, is governed by a board chaired by Nita M. Ambani of Reliance, with serving as vice chairperson to provide strategic oversight. Disney maintains influence through its minority stake and board representation, ensuring alignment with global content strategies. Headquartered in , , the entity adheres to Indian corporate governance standards under the , with board representation reflecting the ownership proportions to balance operational control and minority protections. Regulatory compliance has been central to the JV's formation, with the (CCI) granting approval on August 28, 2024, subject to voluntary modifications to address potential antitrust concerns in sports and advertising markets. The structure complies with (FDI) limits in the Indian sector, where is capped at 26% for certain news-related activities under the route; the Reliance-majority setup ensures adherence by limiting Disney's effective foreign stake accordingly, while allowing up to 100% FDI in non-news entertainment channels via the automatic route. All necessary approvals from the Ministry of Information and and the were secured prior to closure. Financially, the JV reported an EBITDA of ₹774 for the post-merger period from November 14, 2024, to March 31, 2025, reflecting initial integration costs alongside revenue from linear TV and digital streaming. This metric underscores the entity's scale in India's media landscape, with no detailed segmental breakdowns disclosed at this stage to prioritize strategic consolidation over granular reporting.

Leadership

Following the 2024 merger between Disney Star and , JioStar implemented a co-CEO structure to oversee its core divisions, comprising entertainment, digital, and sports operations as of 2025. This leadership model emphasizes integrated strategies across broadcast, streaming, and live events, with a focus on content innovation and revenue diversification. Kevin Vaz serves as CEO of , bringing over 30 years of experience in the Indian media industry. Previously, he headed the entertainment business at Disney Star before joining in 2023 as CEO of Broadcast Entertainment, where he managed channels like Colors and . At JioStar, Vaz drives content strategy across linear TV and digital platforms, prioritizing youth-oriented programming and regional storytelling. In August 2025, he was appointed President of the Indian Digital Media Industry Foundation (IDMIF), succeeding , to advocate for sustainable growth and fair competition in digital media. Kiran Mani leads as CEO of Digital, overseeing the JioHotstar streaming platform, which integrates and assets. A with an MBA, Mani has nearly two decades of experience in and media, including as at where he managed Android operations in the region. He joined as CEO in 2023, spearheading OTT expansion through investments and Hollywood partnerships, before transitioning to JioStar to focus on user growth and AI-driven personalization. Under his leadership, JioHotstar has emphasized scalable digital content ecosystems, including live sports streaming and original series. Ishan Chatterjee was appointed CEO of in July 2025, succeeding Sanjog Gupta who joined the as CEO. With over 20 years in , consulting, and FMCG, previously served as for , SMB, and Creators at JioStar, where he shaped strategies and drove expansions for major events like the (IPL). His contributions include innovative ad formats and cross-platform integrations that boosted IPL 2025 viewership to 1.19 billion, positioning JioStar as a leader in India's growing sports economy projected to reach $70 billion by 2030. now directs the sports division's focus on diverse leagues beyond , including and , to enhance inclusivity and revenue streams. Other key executives include Alok Jain, Head of Cluster for Entertainment, who manages regional and niche channels such as Colors (with its regional feeds), Digital Hindi, youth-music-English, kids, movies, and studios. An and ISB alumnus, Jain was appointed in late 2024 to expand JioStar's footprint in culturally diverse markets, emphasizing Gen Z content and scalable storytelling. The leadership structure also highlights cross-functional teams dedicated to content production and ad sales, fostering collaboration between divisions to optimize synergies in a competitive media landscape. Recent changes include the departure of Ajit Varghese as in late July 2025, after less than a year in the role; he joined Madison Media as CEO and Partner. , who oversaw for and international operations, was succeeded by to ensure continuity in ad strategies. These adjustments reflect JioStar's ongoing evolution to adapt to post-merger dynamics and market demands.

Television channels

Current channels in India

JioStar, the joint venture formed by the 2024 merger of and , operates a diverse portfolio of over 130 linear TV channels in , reaching over 800 million viewers monthly across platforms.

Entertainment

In the genre, stands as a flagship general channel (GEC), consistently ranking among the top-rated networks with popular fiction series like . , integrated from , specializes in fiction programming, offering a mix of dramas and reality shows targeted at urban audiences. focuses on family-oriented dramas, emphasizing relatable stories for -speaking viewers in smaller towns. Star Utsav serves as a channel, providing accessible content including reruns of popular shows to broaden reach in rural areas.

Regional

Disney Star's regional offerings cater to linguistic diversity, with delivering Tamil-language general entertainment, featuring local dramas and cultural programs. is the leading Telugu GEC, known for high-impact family sagas and celebrity-hosted events. Asianet provides Malayalam content, including serialized fiction and devotional shows popular in . targets Bengali audiences with regional stories, music, and festivals celebrated through dedicated programming. For Odia viewers, Disney Star launched Star Kiran in June 2022 as a dedicated general entertainment channel, but it was discontinued in March 2025 as part of portfolio restructuring, leaving no owned Odia GEC in the current lineup.

Movies and Youth

The movies and youth segment includes Star Gold, a dedicated movie channel airing blockbuster films and premieres to attract cinema enthusiasts. India combines music videos, youth-oriented reality shows, and celebrity interviews to engage younger demographics. offers animated content and kids' programming, featuring international and local cartoons for family viewing.

Sports and Factual

Sports channels like Star Sports 1 through 4 cover cricket, football, and multi-sport events, holding dominant rights in including the IPL. Following the 2024 merger, former channels were rebranded and integrated into the Star Sports network in March 2025, expanding the portfolio to 24 channels with new regional feeds such as Star Sports 2 , Star Sports 2 Telugu HD, and Star Sports 2 Tamil HD. delivers documentaries on wildlife, science, and exploration, appealing to factual content viewers. provides children's programming with animated series and live-action shows from the library.

International channels

Disney Star operates a portfolio of international television channels primarily targeting South Asian diaspora communities and select regional markets outside , with content adapted from its Indian network and localized where appropriate. These channels are distributed through cable, satellite, and IPTV providers, focusing on , Tamil, and other Indian language programming including dramas, movies, and family entertainment. As of 2025, the network maintains over 10 active international channels across , , , and limited partnerships in . In the and , Disney Star's offerings include Utsav Plus, a general channel featuring popular series and reality shows from the Star Plus library, rebranded from Star Plus UK in January 2021 to emphasize celebratory themes for the South Asian diaspora. Complementing this are Utsav Gold HD, which airs Bollywood films and movie premieres originally from Star Gold HD, and Utsav Bharat, the international feed of providing multi-regional content such as family dramas and thrillers. These channels are available on major platforms like (channel 705 for Utsav Plus) and , serving over 1.5 million households with South Asian programming. In the United States and , Disney Star provides targeted channels for Tamil and audiences. Vijay TV, the international version of the Tamil general entertainment channel , offers dubbed and subtitled shows including serials, films, and reality programming, distributed via and since its US relaunch in 2023. In , Asian Television Network (ATN) exclusively carries four Disney Star channels launched in late 2023: for Hindi entertainment, Star Gold for movies, (Tamil GEC), and Vijay Super (Tamil movies and sports), reaching South Asian communities through Bell Fibe, Rogers, and other providers. was also relaunched in the US on and in September 2023, featuring flagship Hindi content. Across and the , Disney Star emphasizes localized adaptations of Indian content to appeal to diverse audiences. Star Life, launched in August 2018 as the first international channel from Star TV for the African market, delivers English-dubbed shows, Bollywood movies, and family-oriented series, available on (channel 167) and Openview in and . In August 2025, Star Khanya debuted as a premium channel on (channel 160) and Openview (channel 114), offering isiZulu-dubbed versions of popular Indian dramas like Titli to bridge cultural gaps in , targeting Premium and Compact subscribers with content from the Star network. Utsav Bharat extends to these regions via satellite feeds, providing multi-regional Indian entertainment for diaspora viewers. In , Disney Star's presence is more limited, relying on partnerships for distribution rather than dedicated feeds. For instance, , a pan-Asian English-language under Disney's broader portfolio, is available in through cable and satellite providers, featuring Hollywood and international films alongside select Indian content via collaborations. These efforts collectively serve an estimated global audience, with international linear channels contributing to Disney Star's reach beyond India's 700 million-plus television households.

Defunct channels

JioStar has discontinued several television channels over the years, primarily due to the disruption caused by streaming platforms and consolidation efforts following the merger and in 2025, which streamlined operations and complied with regulatory approvals. These closures reflect a broader industry shift from linear television to , where content from defunct channels is often migrated to over-the-top (OTT) services like JioHotstar. Since the , more than 20 such channels have been shuttered, with additional closures in March 2025 including 9 channels: ( entertainment), Colors Odia (Odia GEC), Star Kiran HD (Odia GEC), (English music), MTV Beats ( music), (English comedy), and others, to focus on high-performing assets. Star One, launched in November 2004 as a Hindi-language channel targeting urban audiences with urban-themed dramas and shows, was discontinued in December 2011 after struggling to maintain viewership against established general entertainment channels (GECs). The closure was part of Star India's strategy to revamp its portfolio by reallocating resources to broader demographics, with the channel's slot repurposed for a new GEC offering. Its legacy includes pioneering youth-oriented narratives in Indian television, influencing subsequent urban-focused programming on platforms like . Life OK, introduced in 2011 as Star One's successor and focusing on general with a mix of , , and mythological series aimed at viewers, operated until its rebranding in 2017. The channel was transformed into to emphasize regional and relatable storytelling, with much of its popular content—such as dramas—integrated into extensions of flagship channels like for better audience retention and cost efficiency. This move marked an early example of Star India's efforts to consolidate GEC slots amid rising , leaving a legacy of diverse programming that boosted female-led narratives in television. Channel [V] India, which debuted in 1994 as a music channel but evolved to include youth fiction and reality shows by the , saw its non-music programming discontinued in mid-2016 due to declining linear viewership and the growing dominance of digital music platforms. The channel briefly reverted to music before a full shutdown in , as audiences shifted to streaming services for on-demand content. Its pioneering role in introducing MTV-style music videos and youth culture to endures through archived content on , influencing the digital youth entertainment landscape. Star World, an English-language channel launched in 1994 to broadcast international shows, movies, and premieres for urban premium audiences, was discontinued on November 30, 2021, alongside its HD and Premiere variants. The decision aligned with 's pivot to OTT, merging the channel's Hollywood and global content library directly into to capitalize on subscription growth and reduce linear distribution costs. As one of India's longest-running English GECs, it played a key role in popularizing Western programming, fostering a cosmopolitan viewership that now sustains Disney's international catalog on streaming.

Digital and other media assets

Streaming platforms

Following the 2024 merger between Star India and , which formed the JioStar , Disney Star's streaming operations unified under JioHotstar, launched on February 14, 2025, as a hybrid advertising video-on-demand (AVOD) and subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platform merging and JioCinema. This integration created 's largest streaming service, boasting over 500 million registered users and emphasizing localized content delivery for the South Asian market. As of November 2025, JioHotstar crossed 1 billion downloads on , with over 500 million monthly active users. JioHotstar's content library exceeds 300,000 hours, encompassing Disney originals such as Marvel and titles, a vast array of Indian films and television series across regional cinemas, and live sports streaming. The platform operates on a tiered subscription model, offering free AVOD access with ads for basic viewing, while premium SVOD plans provide ad-free experiences, multi-device support, and offline downloads starting at ₹299 per month, with options for three-month (₹499) and annual (₹1,499) commitments. In 2025, JioHotstar achieved significant growth, averaging 400 million monthly active users and demonstrating robust engagement through events like the (IPL), where streaming peaked at 55 million concurrent viewers during the final. While the platform integrates select Disney+ content in international markets like , the , and for diaspora audiences, its primary operations remain centered on and , with limited global expansion beyond bundled offerings. Technologically, JioHotstar incorporates AI-driven recommendations to personalize content suggestions based on user viewing habits and supports streaming in 19 languages, including , Tamil, Telugu, and English, with features like real-time and multilingual to enhance across India's diverse .

Sports broadcasting rights

Disney Star, following its merger with Reliance Industries' media assets to form JioStar in 2024, holds exclusive television for the (IPL) from 2023 to 2027, valued at ₹23,575 (approximately $3.02 billion). Combined with , the total IPL media rights package for this period reaches ₹48,390 . These rights enable comprehensive coverage across JioStar's platforms, including live matches, highlights, and multi-language commentary, solidifying cricket's role as a cornerstone of the network's sports portfolio. In addition to IPL, Disney Star maintains rights to International Cricket Council (ICC) events in the Indian market through 2027, covering major tournaments such as the Men's and Women's Cricket World Cups and T20 World Cups in a deal worth over $3 billion. This agreement, secured in 2022, underscores partnerships that extend Disney Star's cricket dominance despite ongoing discussions around financial adjustments following losses on the 2024 T20 World Cup. Broadcasts are distributed via Star Sports channels and the JioHotstar streaming platform, ensuring accessibility to a broad audience. Beyond , Disney Star holds ongoing media rights for the (PKL) through 2025, covering seasons 8 to 12 in a five-year deal valued at ₹905 . The network produces and telecasts the league across its channels and digital properties, with recent seasons attracting eight major sponsors and enhancing kabaddi's visibility in . On the global front, Disney Star benefits from the parent company's integration of NBA and WNBA rights under an 11-year agreement from the 2025-26 season through 2035-36, allowing partial broadcasts of select games via networks adapted for Indian viewers. This includes at least 25 WNBA regular-season games annually on platforms, supporting a hybrid model that leverages international IP. JioStar's sports broadcasts emphasize a hybrid television-digital approach, with the 2025 IPL season generating approximately $600 million in while achieving 652 million digital viewers compared to 537 million on TV. This strategy prioritizes digital growth to capture younger audiences, with platforms like JioHotstar enabling on-demand access and targeted ads.

Content production

Disney Star's content production encompasses in-house capabilities across film, television, and digital originals, primarily through its dedicated arms like and Star Television Productions. serves as the primary film production and distribution entity, focusing on Bollywood and regional Indian cinema. Notable productions include the epic fantasy film (2022), co-produced with , Prime Focus, and directed by , which marked a significant milestone in blending mythology with modern elements. Following the 2024 merger with to form JioStar, integrated with Viacom18 Studios, creating , which facilitates co-productions and expands output in , Tamil, Telugu, and other languages. In television, Disney Star's in-house production is handled by Star Television Productions (STPL), the dedicated arm responsible for creating scripted and unscripted content for its channels, including popular dramas. STPL oversees the development of family-oriented serials and daily soaps that emphasize emotional and cultural , such as long-running shows exploring intergenerational relationships and societal themes. This unit produces a substantial volume of programming annually, contributing to the network's dominance in general entertainment. Post-merger, STPL's integration into JioStar enhances collaborative production efforts, streamlining resources for broader . For digital originals, Disney Star invests heavily in exclusive series for its streaming platform, JioHotstar, under the Hotstar Specials banner. A prime example is the action-thriller series Special Ops (2020–2025), created by Neeraj Pandey, which follows a RAW agent's pursuit of a terrorist mastermind across multiple seasons, blending espionage with high-stakes drama. The merger has bolstered this segment with ₹11,500 crore in growth capital from Reliance Industries, earmarked for expanding Indian intellectual property, including regional language series in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam to cater to diverse audiences. Production facilities are centered in , with key operations at Star House in Lower Parel, supporting post-production, scripting, and shooting for both TV and digital content. Additional studios in the Mumbai metropolitan area facilitate regional shoots, ensuring efficiency in creating content attuned to India's multicultural fabric. Overall, these efforts yield over 30,000 hours of annual content, with a strong emphasis on original programming that promotes regional diversity and narrative innovation, distributed primarily via JioHotstar.

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