Competition Commission clears News Corp buyout of Disney stake in ESS JV

MUMBAI: News Corp?s decision to acquire Disney?s stake in their JV ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has been given the nod by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

The competition watchdog has observed that the deal will not have any adverse impact on competition in the broadcast sector.

"Considering the presence of other sports channels in India such as DD Sports, Ten Action Plus, Ten Sports, Ten Cricket, Ten Golf, Sony Six, Neo Sports Plus, Neo Prime, etc, the proposed combination is not likely to give rise to any adverse competition concern in India," the watchdog said.

"As a result of the proposed combination, the partnership interest of News Corp in ESPN Star Sports would increase from 50 per cent to 100 per cent and consequentially, News Corp would acquire sole control over ESPN Star Sports," it added.

News Corp takes control over the subsidiaries of ESPN Star Sports -- ESPN Software India and Scorpio Television India. "Pursuant to the proposed combination, News Corp would also acquire control over 49 per cent interest of ESPN Star Sports in Premier Hockey Development Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between ESPN Star Sports and the Indian Hockey Federation," the order said.