eNews
Disney announces merger of Viacom18 business with Star India
Mumbai: As per the report released by Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), Viacom18 in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company, has unveiled a landmark strategic partnership that will combine its business with Star India, aiming to lead the digital transformation of India’s media industry.
This joint venture (JV) will significantly reshape the media and entertainment landscape, offering a broad spectrum of high-quality content and an enhanced digital experience for consumers in India and the Indian diaspora globally. Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) will hold a 16.34 per cent stake, Viacom18 will own 46.82 per cent, and Disney will hold 36.84 per cent in the JV. RIL will invest Rs 11,500 crore at closing to drive the JV’s growth strategy, valuing it at Rs 70,352 crore (approximately US$8.5 billion) on a post-money basis, excluding synergies.
Viacom18 reported robust financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024, demonstrating strong growth across all segments. For Q4 FY24, the company’s operating revenue surged 63.0 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 2,419 crore, fueled by impressive performances in Sports, Movies, and News. Revenue from the Media business saw a remarkable increase, driven largely by the sports segment, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other significant sporting events contributing to this growth. Additionally, the release of ‘Fighter,’ a major film of 2024, bolstered revenue in the Movies segment. However, continued investments in Sports and Digital platforms impacted consolidated EBITDA for the quarter.
For FY24, Viacom18 achieved an annual operating revenue of Rs 9,297 crore, up 49.4 per cent Y-o-Y, marking one of its strongest performances. The News business saw a 19 per cent increase in revenue Y-o-Y, while Viacom18’s revenue grew by 62 per cent Y-o-Y, with Sports being the primary driver of this growth. Investments in new verticals, particularly Sports and Digital, supported the substantial revenue increase. The group’s digital platforms, including JioCinema, Moneycontrol, and News18, saw strong growth, although these investments also impacted EBITDA.
As per the RIL report, Viacom18’s TV network share increased by 70 basis points quarter-on-quarter to 11.4 per cent, supported by strong performances in Hindi General Entertainment Channels (GEC), Movies, and Sports. Notably, Colors achieved its highest Gross Rating Points (GRPs) in eight years and climbed to the #1 position in the market during the quarter. JioCinema witnessed a significant 50 per cent increase in reach on the opening day of IPL 2024, with 11.3 crore viewers, and introduced new features such as commentary in regional languages and enhanced camera angle options.
The network also saw record reach and engagement for its TV network shows, with notable increases in viewership and watch-time for Bigg Boss Hindi and Bigg Boss Kannada. JioCinema’s coverage of various sporting events, including the Women’s Premier League (WPL), saw substantial growth in watch-time and reach.
Network18’s TV News bouquet maintained its position as the highest-reach news network in India, with an all-India viewership share of 10.9 per cent. It retained leadership in English news (CNN News18), Business news (CNBC TV18), and Hindi news (News18 India). The network’s digital portfolio also demonstrated significant growth, with Moneycontrol becoming India’s #1 subscription-based news platform and Firstpost achieving rapid growth on YouTube.
In addition to the JV with Disney, Network18 announced the merger of TV18 and E18 with Network18, consolidating TV and digital news assets, and the Moneycontrol business into one listed company through a Scheme of Arrangement, which is currently in the process of obtaining requisite approvals.
This strategic alignment and financial performance underscore Viacom18’s strong market position and its commitment to driving innovation and growth in the media and entertainment sector.
eNews
Swiggy sees record orders during India vs New Zealand T20 final
Chicken biryani tops match-day menu as fans order 7,500 times per minute at peak.
MUMBAI: India’s T20 final didn’t just break stumps, it broke Swiggy’s delivery records, proving cricket fans celebrate victories with plates, not just flags. Swiggy, India’s leading on-demand convenience platform, reported a sharp spike in food orders during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand. On 8 March 2026, overall orders rose 23.2 per cent year-on-year compared with the same date in 2025, driven by fans turning living rooms into mini stadiums complete with match-day feasts.
Key highlights from the evening:
- Orders during peak match hours (7–10 pm) were 2.1 times higher than pre-match levels.
- The highest order rate hit 7,500 orders per minute at 19:45.
- Chicken biryani reigned supreme as the most-ordered dish, followed by masala dosa, chicken fried rice, garlic breadsticks and paneer butter masala.
While metros such as Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad led volumes, the cricketing fever spread nationwide. Among emerging cities, Thiruvananthapuram, Surat and Rajkot recorded the strongest order growth. Smaller markets including Shillong, Agartala and Port Blair also showed significant appetite, underlining the expanding footprint of quick-commerce food delivery across India.
The surge reflects a growing trend of pairing major sporting events with doorstep delivery, turning big matches into shared, convenient celebrations. In a night where every boundary mattered, Swiggy proved the real MVP might just be the delivery partner who kept the snacks and the vibes flowing without missing a single wicket.
