Walt Disney to gain cricket rights, hotstar acess in India with Fox deal

The deal also could allow Disney to boost its film business in India, where the vast majority of movies are local Bollywood releases

Walt Disney Co’s expected deal with Twenty-First Century Fox Inc would give the world’s best-known entertainment company new advantages in India, such as cricket rights and local-language TV shows for the fast-growing media market.

Through the $75 billion deal, which a source said is expected to be announced Thursday morning, Disney would be able to distribute its programming on Star India, operator of 69 TV channels in eight languages, as well as the popular Hotstar streaming service. Disney also would gain global rights to professional cricket.

“It is an amazing opportunity to get into the best developing market in the world,” MoffettNathanson