Reliance-Disney offer concessions for $8.5 billion India merger deal, but cricket broadcast rights remain a hurdle

Reliance Industries and Disney have offered some concessions to secure the $8.5 billion media merger deal from the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The companies are unwilling to sell any cricket broadcast rights, which is the major aspect of the deal, reported Reuters, quoting two anonymous sources in the know of the development on Thursday, August 22.

The news agency reported on Tuesday that the competition regulator CCI sent a warning notice to both companies, expressing concerns that the merged entity could potentially harm competition due to its power over the cricket broadcast rights in the country, which can hurt advertisers.