According to sources, New Delhi, February 25, 2025, Tata Play and Airtel Digital TV are reportedly in advanced discussions for a merger, which is expected to occur through a share swap arrangement. The proposed deal will likely result in Bharti Airtel holding a majority stake, exceeding 50%, in the new merged entity.
Reports state that the talks arise from the hardships the direct-to-home (DTH) industry is undergoing, such as dipping subscriber levels and growing control of streaming platforms. The proposed merger, if implemented, would redraw the Indian DTH space to form one of the largest segment service providers.
Industry experts opine that the development fits Airtel’s plan to enhance its base in the non-mobile business segment and utilize synergies between its telephone and television businesses. Tata Play, which had a financial loss of ₹354 crores in the last fiscal, could find stability with this consolidation. Bharti Airtel’s DTH business, which also recorded a ₹76 crore loss, could benefit from economies of scale and a larger customer base post-merger.
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As per reports, the merged entity would gain access to Tata Play’s approximately 20 million subscribers, which could enhance Airtel’s market reach significantly.
Although a formal announcement is yet to be made, industry observers are keenly tracking the developments. The merger, if cleared by regulatory bodies, could have wide-ranging implications for the Indian pay-TV space.
More details on the transaction structure and potential leadership changes in the combined entity are awaited.
