iWorld
Watcho and RailWire team up to deliver broadband and binge in Bengal
MUMBAI: In a move set to stir up the digital entertainment space, DishTV’s Watcho and RailTel’s broadband arm RailWire have announced a partnership to launch bundled internet and OTT subscriptions in West Bengal. The new service neatly combines RailWire’s trusted connectivity with Watcho’s bouquet of more than 13 popular OTT apps, aiming to offer regional viewers a single-subscription solution.
Customers can pick from three options: the RW Bangla Entry Pack (25 Mbps, 1.5 TB), the Super Pack (50 Mbps, 2 TB), or the Premium Pack (100 Mbps, 2.5 TB). Each comes with access to a line-up of top OTT platforms, including Hoichoi, ShemarooMe, Sanskar, FanCode, Discovery+, Hungama, and Watcho Exclusives—starting at just Rs 349 plus taxes.
Dish TV India chief executive and executive director Manoj Dobhal said the partnership “brings together two trusted brands to deliver an all-in-one entertainment solution that is affordable and locally relevant.” He added, “We’re excited to launch this in West Bengal and confident it will meet the needs of consumers looking for simplicity, reliability and quality.”
RailTel’s director (npm) Yashpal Singh Tomar said the tie-up reflects RailWire’s vision to enrich lives and bridge the digital divide in emerging regional markets. “This initiative enables us to provide not just connectivity but a complete entertainment ecosystem,” he noted.
With RailTel’s optic fibre backbone spanning 62,000 route kilometres and a network of more than 11,000 local partners, this partnership aims to deliver seamless digital convenience to homes across tier 2 and tier 3 India, with further expansions in the pipeline.
iWorld
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
