New Delhi: Tata Sons, the parent company of Tata Play, has reportedly bolstered its shareholding in the direct-to-home (DTH) firm by acquiring the 10 percent stake held by Singaporean investment firm Temasek. This move elevates Tata's ownership in Tata Play to 70 percent, consolidating its position in India's largest DTH platform.

The acquisition is valued at approximately $100 million and Tata Play is valued at $1 billion. According to reports, Tata Play is also poised to transition into a 70:30 joint venture between Tata and Walt Disney, following the acquisition of Temasek's stake. However, discussions are underway between Tata and Disney regarding the latter's potential exit from the DTH platform, as Disney aims to divest non-core assets.

Disney's decision to divest its stake in Tata Play comes in the wake of its merger with Reliance's Viacom18 to form the country's largest media entity. SEBI's approval of Tata Play's proposed initial public offering (IPO) in May 2023 highlights the platform's readiness to capitalize on market opportunities, despite previous postponements due to challenging market conditions.

Established in 2001 as Tata Sky, Tata Play boasts a significant presence across India, serving 21 million subscribers. Temasek's initial investment in Tata Play in 2007 paved the way for its growth and evolution into a key player in India's DTH market.

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