Viacom18 Shuffles Executive Leadership Ahead of Disney India Merger

Viacom18, a Reliance-owned media conglomerate, has undergone a significant leadership reshuffle in preparation for its upcoming $8.5 billion merger with Disney's India unit.

Kevin Vaz Takes the Reins on Content

• Content Consolidation: Previously the CEO of broadcast entertainment, Kevin Vaz has been promoted to lead the entire content business. This includes overseeing content clusters for both linear TV and digital, encompassing general entertainment, children's content, and live events. Additionally, Vaz will head the Viacom18 Studios movie production arm.

Kiran Mani Steers Digital and Sports

• Digital and Sports Focus: Kiran Mani, formerly the CEO of JioCinema's digital business, now leads the combined digital and sports segments. His responsibilities encompass digital products, subscriber management, advertising, monetization, influencer marketing, and even sales of the linear sports channel.

• Reporting Structure Shift: Notably, Anil Jairaj, CEO of Viacom18 Sports, will now report to Mani instead of directly to the board.

Internal Restructuring Raises Concerns

The report, citing a company source, acknowledges that the restructuring has caused some internal friction. Apparently, "not all leaders are happy with the new structure," particularly with the shift of content leadership away from the original Viacom18 team. This follows a year of significant changes within Viacom18's leadership.

The Looming Merger: Reliance Takes Charge

This reshuffle comes just weeks after Reliance signed a deal with Walt Disney to acquire its Indian operations. The proposed merged entity will see Reliance hold a majority stake (61%), with Disney retaining 33% and Bodhi Tree Systems keeping the remaining 6%. Notably, Disney is expected to further reduce its presence by diluting its stake in the future.

The Race for Content Supremacy

Both Reliance (through JioCinema) and Disney are major players in the OTT (Over-the-top) streaming and telecast rights market, vying for major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, ICC Cricket World Cup, and IPL. Disney's decision to sell its India business, reportedly influenced by JioCinema's dominance in the digital space, led them to explore options with other potential buyers like Gautam Adani and Sun TV Network's Kalanithi Maran.

Viacom18's leadership reshuffle reflects strategic maneuvering ahead of the Disney India merger. With Reliance taking a dominant position, the battle for content supremacy in the Indian media landscape is set to intensify.