Development Alert: Colors TV And StarPlus Owners Reliance And Disney Star Agree To Merge Media Business

In a mega deal in the entertainment segment, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Walt Disney Co have signed a binding agreement to merge their media operations in India, according to a Bloomberg report.

As per the agreement, the media unit of Reliance and its affiliates are expected to own at least 61 per cent in the merged entity, with Disney holding the rest.

Disney reportedly agreed to sell 61 per cent of its India business to Viacom 18 at a valuation of $3.9 billion. Viacom18 is owned by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani.

There were reports earlier this month that Disney had agreed to sell 60 per per cent of its Indian business to Viacom18. The deal is expected to be a significant move in the Indian media and entertainment industry.

Last month, Sony of Japan dropped its merger plan with Zee Entertainment ended due to disagreements regarding the leadership of the proposed merged media entity.

In the line of fire from activist shareholder Nelson Peltz for poor succession planning, Disney recently appointed two new directors – Morgan Stanley CEO James Gormon and former group chief executive at Sky Sir Jeremy Darroch, late November. In the same month, Walt Disney CEO Iger said on an earnings call in November that the company was “considering options” but that it would like to stay on in India and try and “strengthen our hand, improve the bottom line”.

Eutelsat Group Support The Launch Of UNESCO’s Television Channel, Educa-TV

In a news report by Eutelsat Group, the organisation supported the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Regional Office for Central Africa to launch the educational television channel Educa-TV at the African Union Summit of Heads of State in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Educa-TV project aims to help improve access to and quality of education by setting up a television channel dedicated exclusively to teaching and learning in Central Africa.

Furthermore, broadcast via satellite, the new channel will be available 24/7, free-to-air, in more than 20 countries on the African continent. Educa-TV is aimed primarily at pupils enrolled in exam classes from primary to secondary school to help them prepare for their final exams. In addition, a non-formal education component aimed at young people and adults will provide training in various fields linked to contemporary challenges, such as health education, education for sustainable development, and entrepreneurship training to promote the employability of young people.

“We are delighted to support UNESCO and ECCAS with the launch of the Educa-TV channel. Our commitment to reducing the digital divide and expanding digital inclusion is a crucial component of the Group’s corporate social responsibility strategy. This new channel fits perfectly with the beneficial social mission that our satellites can offer by facilitating access to education for all students in Central Africa. Thanks to satellite, students in even the most remote and inaccessible regions, whatever the level of infrastructure development, will be able to benefit from this new educational content,” commented Laurence Delpy, President of Eutelsat’s video business.

Kenneth Mitchell, An Actor Who Appeared In Captain Marvel And A Star Trek Series, Has Died

The actor, who was 49, was diagnosed with ALS - also known as motor neurone disease - five and a half years ago.

His family said in a statement on Instagram that Mitchell was "an inspirational work of art to all the hearts he touched".

Mitchell appeared in a variety of TV shows and films, including Captain Marvel, in which he played the titular character's father, Joseph Danvers.

Born in Toronto, Canada, Mitchell was married to actress Susan May Pratt and the pair had two children together.

He revealed that he was suffering from ALS in an interview with People magazine in 2020, and said he had been using a powered wheelchair.

In the post on Instagram, his family paid tribute to him as "a hope seeker, daydreamer, dream believer, soccer player, beach walker, bear hugger... and more than anything else, a proud father".

News Shorts: Epic Mickey Getting Remade For The Nintendo Switch Later In The Year, Arch Nemesis Coke And Pepsi To Face Off In Standalone Film And Harry Potter TV Series To Stream On Max In 2026

Disney is doing another remake

Developer Purple Lamp and publisher THQ Nordic announced that their 3D platformer remake dubbed ‘Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed’ will be coming to PC via Steam, PlayStation, Xbox consoles, and the Nintendo Switch later this year. Previously a Nintendo Wii exclusive by Warren Spector many moons ago, this beautiful remake sends Mickey Mouse on an epic journey through Wasteland, a realm of forgotten Disney characters. As Mickey, you will dive into a fantastical world and, armed with paint and thinner, shape your adventure and the fate of this alternate world.

Cola Wars greenlit by Sony

Sony has stepped up with a seven figure bid to uncap Cola Wars, a movie pitch that tells the true story of Pepsi’s attempt to challenge Coca-Cola’s century-long reign as the world’s top cola, sparking the unforgettable “Cola Wars” of the mid-1980s. This behind-the-scenes account, from Michael Jackson’s fiery mishap to the New Coke debacle, tells the ultimate underdog tale of history’s most iconic second-place contender vying for the No. 1 spot. Sources said it was around $1.5 million while Sony said it was $1 million, still a whopping deal for a pitch.

It falls into place alongside films about products like the Ben Affleck-directed Air, about the battle by Nike to win Michael Jordan for a shoe line that transformed the company. There were rival bids massing with elements attached, but Sony stepped up. Maia Eyre, the exec who oversaw the hit Anyone But You, will shepherd this one.

Harry Potter remake coming in 2026

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav confirmed Friday that a long-planned Harry Potter series is aiming to debut on Max in 2026.

This new Max Original series will dive deep into each of the iconic books that fans have continued to enjoy for all of these years,” said Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO & Max Content about the project, which he also assured fans would be “a faithful adaptation.

DStv Shorts: Death Reckoning Launches On Real Time Alongside More Beat Bobby Flay, Comedy Central Celebrates April Fools With More South Park And Trinayani To Make Her Pay-TV Debut On Zee World Across Africa

Real Time starts the next month with premieres

Beat Bobby Flay S18

NEW TO CHANNEL

Talented chefs battle for the chance to take down Chef Bobby Flay. One is picked to compete against Bobby in his own arena and challenge him with a surprise signature dish.

First TX: 1 March 

TX Day: Weekdays 

TX Time: 11:15

Dead Reckoning

NEW TO CHANNEL

Some of America's most puzzling murder investigations are recounted as police methodically and meticulously reconstruct events. After studying all the clues the victims left behind, investigators put the pieces together to crack the case and get justice.

First TX: 25 March 

TX Day: Weekdays 

TX Time: 22:30

South Park continues its antics on Comedy Central

In April, Comedy Central will be continuing the South Park antics with an April Fools stunt tiled South Park: Joysticks and Jokes at 22:00. This will be followed by another stunt which comes in celebration of Weeds Day with the film Pretty Stoned alongside a South Park marathon from the 22nd in the same timeslot.

More Zee One shows load on DStv

After launching on Zee One back in 2023, it has revealed on several social platforms that Trinayani will be making her premium debut on Zee World in April. It would join another upcoming show Sister Wives that is also set to rollout in the month.

Trinayani follows the titular character's ability to foresee the future and the past often lands her in trouble. Despite the setbacks, she strives to use her gift to protect the people around her from harm. It stars Sri Satya Sumana and Aashika Gopal Padukone in leading roles.