Disney+ Hotstar


Disney eyes $10bn deal to sell India operation to Reliance Industries

India’a Reliance Industries is in talks to acquire Disney’s operations in the country in a deal that would value the division at $10bn. The news was first reported by Bloomberg, which said Reliance is nearing agreement on a sale that would see it acquire a majority stake in Disney’s Indian business that would cost it […]

Sony Pictures Entertainment eyes Disney+ Hotstar acquisition

Sony Pictures Entertainment is reportedly in early discussions with the Walt Disney Company to acquire its Indian business. The firm, which is the global entertainment arm of Japan’s Sony Group, is eyeing Disney India as a potential contingency plan if its merger deal with Zee Entertainment does not go ahead or faces further delays, according […]

Disney explores India future with sale or JV among options as competition bites

Disney is exploring the future of its Indian TV and streaming business, with a sale or the addition of a joint-venture partner among options being considered. Disney has approached at least one bank to advise on ways to make the Indian business grow, according to the Wall Street Journal which broke news. Talks are said […]

Disney+ Hotstar & BBC Studios India prep mystery drama ‘School Of Lies’

Disney+ Hotstar has linked up with BBC Studios (BBCS) India for its latest drama, this time a Hindi-language show that explores a mystery around a missing child. School Of Lies, which drops 2 June, has been co-created by Avinash Arun, who directs, and Ishani Banerjee. The story explores how a boarding school’s dark secrets start […]

Disney+ Hotstar takes ‘Dead Pixels’ into India with Tamada Media

Disney+ Hotstar in India has ordered a remake of BBC Studios (BBCS) comedy Dead Pixels. The Telugu adaptation will be a six-parter and is being produced by BBCS India and Tamada Media, with animation by Keyframe Studios. Aditya Mandala directs, with Akshay Poolla attached to write and Niharika Konidela, Harsha Chemudu, Sai Ronak, Akshay Lagusani […]

Disney+ Hotstar & Banijay expand reality with Bollywood star Malaika Arora

Indian streamer Disney+ Hotstar has ordered Moving In With Malaika, a new reality series following the daily life of actor and model Malaika Arora. The series will give Arora’s fans access to “her past, present, and future” through “unfiltered conversations” and guest appearances from her friends and family as they “spill the tea” on what […]

Disney+ Hotstar snags Korean, Turkish & Spanish shows from Gary Pudney’s O4 Media

Disney+ Hotstar has struck a deal with Gary Pudney’s O4 Media for a raft of international programming across scripted and unscripted. The deal includes 14 shows in three different languages – Korean, Turkish and Spanish – which will become available from August and will “introduce hundreds of hours” of programming dubbed into Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. […]

Disney hires Google veteran to lead streamer Disney+ Hotstar in India

Disney has raided Google for its new head of Indian streaming giant Disney+ Hotstar. Sajith Sivanandan becomes EVP and head of Disney+ Hotstar, reporting into Rebecca Campbell, chairman of Disney’s international content and operations group, and K Madhavan, president of India’s Disney Star. Sivanandan’s remit includes oversight of all Disney+ Hotstar business in India, including […]

Opinion: Atwater Capital’s Carol Lim on private equity’s interest in local language

Carol Lim, principal at US-based investment firm Atwater Capital, explains why streaming giants must think globally when making their investments in local language content. The influx of private equity capital into the media and entertainment sector has garnered significant attention of late. What has been less well documented, however, is how much of this capital […]