India one of the most important and exciting markets for Disney globally: Bob Iger

Walt Disney chief executive Bob Iger on Friday underscored India’s strategic importance to the company, calling it “one of the most important and exciting markets for Disney worldwide.”

His remarks came as he hailed the merger of Disney’s Star India with Reliance’s Viacom18 as a “truly extraordinary partnership,” creating a new media powerhouse under the banner of JioStar.

Speaking at Reliance Industries’ annual general meeting, Iger praised chairman Mukesh Ambani’s leadership and said the partnership was already reshaping the entertainment landscape. “Through JioStar, we are delivering the very best in entertainment and sports, reaching audiences at an unprecedented scale,” he said.


The merger, completed last year, values the joint venture at about $8.5 billion, making it the largest media and entertainment firm in India. Reliance Industries, Disney and Bodhi Tree Systems hold 56%, 37% and 7% stakes, respectively.

JioStar brings together local programming under the Star and Colors brands with Disney’s global catalogue of IP, including Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars. Cricket sits at the centre of the partnership, with JioStar holding rights to both the Indian Premier League and ICC global tournaments.

Iger revealed that the platform has already amassed nearly 300 million paid subscribers, placing it among the largest streaming services globally.

“By combining Reliance’s digital reach and deep understanding of the Indian consumer with Disney’s storytelling and IP, and India’s passion for cricket, JioStar has quickly established itself as a global force in media and entertainment,” he said.