India's Antitrust Body Raises Concerns Over Disney-Reliance $8.5 Billion Merger

The merger's potential control over cricket broadcast rights and advertising market dominance is under scrutiny.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has warned that the merger could harm competition, particularly in cricket broadcasting.
Disney and Reliance have been asked to justify why an investigation should not be launched within 30 days.
The merged entity would control significant cricket broadcasting rights, affecting pricing power and advertiser rates.
Reliance-Disney has proposed selling some TV channels but is unwilling to part with cricket rights, citing contractual limitations.
Experts suggest the merger could lead to 'almost absolute control' over cricket, with a 40% share of the TV and streaming ad market.