Competition watchdog CCI approves Disney, RIL-owned Viacom18’s $8.5-bn merger

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Wednesday approved the proposed merger between Disney Star, the local unit of The Walt Disney Company, and Reliance Industries-controlled Viacom18, with some voluntary modifications.

This approval, the most crucial for a merger of this size, will pave the way for the largest deal in India’s media and entertainment sector, creating an $8.5-billion entertainment network.