The merger creates India’s largest media group with annual revenue of $3.1 billion, combining streaming platforms JioCinema and Hotstar with more than 100 television channels. The venture claims over 50 million streaming subscribers and will produce 30,000 hours of television content annually.

India’s entertainment landscape shifted Thursday as Reliance Industries and Disney completed their long-awaited media merger, creating an Indian powerhouse valued at $8.5 billion. The deal combines Disney’s Star India with Reliance’s Viacom18 and streaming platforms JioCinema and Hotstar.

Head of newly formed Jio Star says traditional linear format is still important in the country during streaming era