Breaking Sony is in talks to buy a stake in Network18

[Raju lal]

If Sony, Viacom and TV 18 comes under same umbrella then History, ESPN brands may leave from them. Instead of increasing the number of channels and properties, both parties are eyeing on 'contents' to improve their offerings.

No Disney has only 25% shares in History tv18 and FYI tv18. NETWORK 18 has 50% shares.

That is the case of History TV 18(In India only). But A+E network can decide to continue or withdraw partnership with TV18(Like they broke deal with Fox earlier) Disney can take part in that decision making as they own 50% stake in A+E.

 

[dino29]

If Sony, Viacom and TV 18 comes under same umbrella then History, ESPN brands may leave from them. Instead of increasing the number of channels and properties, both parties are eyeing on 'contents' to improve their offerings.

That is the case of History TV 18(In India only). But A+E network can decide to continue or withdraw partnership with TV18(Like they broke deal with Fox earlier) Disney can take part in that decision making as they own 50% stake in A+E.

Well if u read all the articles or even think after own analysis why these mergers r happening then it is evident, certain players r consolidating to build a strong entity on all fronts to counter others.

Now Sony coming with Viacom-CBS is to give tough competition to Star-Disney and Zee or even OTT platforms, there is no point why ESPN or A&E will stand with rivals which will try to grab share of their parent firm. As soon as partnership contract ends, ESPN and A&E r joining into Star-Disney empire. Also i m still interested to see if Disney continues in Tata Sky or other possibilities which r still open.

I strongly think Turner India should form a union with major broadcaster else they will find it impossible to take on challenges which lie ahead

 

[JollyLNB]

I strongly think Turner India should form a union with major broadcaster else they will find it impossible to take on challenges which lie ahead

Discovery as well. These two are very small. Sony is very big in India in comparison.

The merger of Sony and TV18 is like the merger of Vodafone and Idea (not talking about financial health) rather than Airtel and Telenor (which was the case with Star and Disney, except that the smaller company in India (Disney) acquired the bigger one).

The mostly Indian-owned broadcasters (Zee, Sun) will have to fight to survive in front of two behemoths (Disney and Sony+RIL+Viacom).

 

[dino29]

Discovery as well. These two are very small. Sony is very big in India in comparison.

Discovery already is likely to join Viacom-CBS and Sony as per news floating around over year or so

 

[Ashok Varma]

Discovery as well. These two are very small. Sony is very big in India in comparison.

The merger of Sony and TV18 is like the merger of Vodafone and Idea (not talking about financial health) rather than Airtel and Telenor (which was the case with Star and Disney, except that the smaller company in India (Disney) acquired the bigger one).

In US, Viacom-CBS tries to three way merger with Discovery and Sony.

 

[JollyLNB]

I strongly think Turner India should form a union with major broadcaster else they will find it impossible to take on challenges which lie ahead

The mostly Indian-owned broadcasters (Zee, Sun) will have to fight to survive in front of two behemoths (Disney and Sony+RIL+Viacom).

Discovery already is likely to join Viacom-CBS and Sony as per news floating around over year or so

If Discovery joins the Sony–Reliance–Viacom coalition, it will be too big for the market. Also, Turner will be left out and has to hurry to find a partner.

Also note: ETV and Turner are distributed by Indiacast. With Sony joining forces with Reliance/Viacom, this might be cut.

Turner might have to link up with Zee again (they were partners before). Zee has no presence in the kids sector and both &flix/&privé HD and HBO/WB are weak in the English movie sector compared to Star, Sony Pix and Times.

 

[Ashok Varma]

Also note: ETV and Turner are distributed by Indiacast. With Sony joining forces with Reliance/Viacom, this might be cut. Turner might have to link up with Zee again (they were partners before).

In TRAI Tariff era, Now Turner can distribute channels of their own.

 

[iDJ]

Does anyone else feels buy out is because of Cineplex's dubbed library? Sony might be seeking more Southern dubbed library for Max.

 

[JollyLNB]

Does anyone else feels buy out is because of Cineplex's dubbed library? Sony might be seeking more Southern dubbed library for Max.

This is a very minor thing in the grand scheme of things. Sony is trying to get Ambani's power and the reach of Viacom/CBS and TV18 to grow itself. This will also greatly augment the regional markets where Sony is mostly absent.

As @dino29 has pointed out, the ESPN and A&E channels (Sony ESPN, History and FYI TV18) are likely to return to Disney and possibly be rebranded as Star channels (definitely for Sony ESPN).

 

[Aksgr]

The talks are yet in first stage.