Researched by: Rachel John, Aarthi Ramnath & Anannya Parekh
Finally: A Reliance-Disney shaadi
The context: Once upon a time, Disney ruled Indian television thanks to Star India—which gave it valuable IPL broadcast rights, dozens of channels and a stake in a Bollywood production company. The company was also the foundation upon which the streaming behemoth Hotstar was built. Then in June 2022, Disney+Hotstar lost the rights to stream IPL to Reliance—and haemorrhaged millions of subscribers. Ever since, Disney has been trying to offload its India assets and—surprise, surprise—its primary suitor has been Reliance.
What happened now: After months of rumours—and detailed leaks—we now have official confirmation of a “binding merger pact.” Reliance will invest $1.5 billion for a 61% stake. Why this matters: It will create India's largest media empire, spanning TV broadcasting, streaming, movies and sports. What’s interesting: Mukesh-bhai is now eyeing Disney’s minority stake in Tata Play. (Bloomberg News via Economic Times)
Meanwhile, over at Sony: After jilting Zee at the altar, Sony is now eyeing a stake in the South Indian video streaming platform aha. According to industry analysts, Sony is very interested in South Indian content—but “it is too early to say if a deal will happen.” Data points to note:
South India accounts for almost 35% of India’s total media and entertainment market. The region’s streaming and digital media market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 25%, which would make it one of the fastest-growing sub-segments in the domestic media and entertainment market.
War on Gaza: The latest update
Israel’s occupation plan: It’s finally official. After months of hinting at the possibility, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled his plans for a post-war Gaza that will be turned into another West Bank. There will be a nominal local administration—like the Palestinian Authority—but Tel Aviv will be in control:
“Israel will maintain operational freedom of action in the entire Gaza Strip, without a time limit, for the purpose of preventing the renewal of terrorism and thwarting threats from Gaza,” the document says.
Also this: Israel will create a buffer zone—in Gaza’s territory along the border with Israel—that is “off limits to Palestinians.” It will also take control of the Egypt-Gaza border—and essentially seal Gaza.
Here’s what some middle east experts make of this plan:
Now, it’s possible that by sheer force and indifference to international law, Israel could move forward with a total military occupation of Gaza — but if they do, the result will be morally unconscionable and accelerate the spiral of harms caused by the Gaza war, including death, humanitarian misery, and regional war.
Wall Street Journal (paywall) and Vox look at the plan in detail. A related read: Washington Post reports on the increasing isolation of the US over its support for Tel Aviv.
About that damning UNRWA report: In January, Israel accused the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)—which provides relief for Palestinian refugees—of being involved in the October 7 attacks. The “strong evidence” led the US and other Western nations to cut aid to UNRWA—crippling the organisation in the midst of a humanitarian catastrophe. Turns out a lot of that “evidence” is a bit shaky—according to a US investigation:
It cast doubt, however, on accusations that the UN agency was collaborating with Hamas in a wider way. The Journal said the report mentioned that although the UNRWA does coordinate with Hamas in order to deliver aid and operate in the region, there was a lack of evidence to suggest it partnered with the group. It added that Israel has not “shared the raw intelligence behind its assessments with the US”.
The Guardian has more.
A death toll in Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky offered a rare official estimate of the number of Ukrainian soldiers killed during the invasion. His number: 31,000—which is markedly lower than the Russian estimate of 60,000. US officials put the number at 70,000. Why this matters: It is rare for Ukraine to provide a military death toll. The announcement is likely timed to pressure Washington to send military aid—delayed due to the Republicans. (BBC News)
Meanwhile, in Russia: Eight days after anti-Putin politician Alexei Navalny’s death, authorities handed his body over to his mother. We still don’t know whether Navalny’s funeral will be open to the public—since it may stoke protests. Our Big Story has more context on Navalny’s death—and why it’s a big deal. (BBC News)
The most popular leader in the world is…
Our very own prime minister! The latest results of the Global Leader Approval Rating Tracker shows that his approval ratings are a whopping 78%. Only 17% disapprove of his performance—while 6% have no opinion (who are these people?!). Interestingly, there has been a 2% increase since December—just in time for the elections.
Coming in at #2: Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (65%)—followed by Argentina's Javier Milei. What’s interesting: Western leaders did not fare very well. US President Joe Biden was #11 with a 37% approval rating. Hamara Rishi Sunak managed a measly 25%. (Mint)
And the SAG award goes to…
‘Oppenheimer’—which picked up three Screen Actors Guild awards. The usual suspects included Cillian Murphy for best actor trophy—and Robert Downey Jr for best supporting actor. Also expected: Lily Gladstone’s best actress win for ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’.
The only surprise of the night: Pedro Pascal, who won the best actor in a drama series category for ‘The Last Of Us’—beating Succession’s Kieran Culkin. The person most shocked: Pedro himself. Watch his goofy acceptance speech below:
If you’re a ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ fan, check out the cast reunion on stage—which felt a bit staged. The Guardian has the longer list. BBC News has the best red carpet looks.
Moving on to other perennial favourites: Get ready for a new Bridget Jones movie! The latest installment of our favourite hot mess will be based on Helen Fielding’s 2013 novel, ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy’—which followed Jones’s online dating adventures as a 51-year-old single mother with two kids. (Telegraph UK, paywall, Yahoo News UK)
RIP, Vice.com
The company announced plans to lay off hundreds of employees and shut down its flagship website Vice.com. It will not publish any stories—but could provide content to other media outlets. The CEO is calling this a “studio model.” Reminder: Last year, Vice Media Group filed for bankruptcy and was sold for $350 million to its lenders—led by giant investment firm Fortress Investment Group.
The bigger picture: As we explained in our Big Story on Sports Illustrated, prestige publications that struggle are sold, then resold—and sold again—until they end up in the hands of some conglomerate that has zero investment in journalism. These companies usually licence the brand name to content factories to make a quick buck. That may well be the fate that awaits Vice. The company’s other holding—Refinery29—is also on the block. (Washington Post, paywall, Associated Press)
Four things to see
One: AIADMK has revived an AI-generated Jayalalithaa to boost its electoral fortunes. The virtual version makes all the right noises about “the corrupt and useless” DMK government—but doesn’t have much to offer other than novelty. The video ends with her popular catchphrase: “Makkalal naan, makkalukkagave naan” (I am because of the people, I am for the people). (The Hindu)
Two: India’s longest cable-stayed bridge is officially open for traffic. It is 2.32 km long—with four-lanes and 2.50 m wide footpaths on either side. The price tag: Rs 9.7 billion (978 crore). Of course, it’s located in Gujarat. Of course, it was inaugurated by the PM. Snarky comments aside, it looks pretty cool. (Mint)
Three: Scientists are delighted because they have spotted the yellow-crested helmetshrike (Prionops alberti) in the jungles of Congo—after 20 long years. They saw not one but 18 birds—which raises hopes of a hidden sizable population. This is the first-ever photograph taken of the pretty bird. (Popular Science)
Four: A comedy heist flick starring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon? Sign us up! ‘The Crew’ by debut director Rajesh Krishnan is set to release on March 22. Check out the fab teaser below. Indian Express has more plot details.
