Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV Merger Talks in Hold Yet Again Over Deal Structure

Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV merger talks have been ‘stalled’ yet again. To counter Reliance Jio and Tata Sky in the broadcasting sector, the second and third largest DTH operators in the country have been in talks of merging operations. However, for the second time, we are hearing the talks are put in the hold between the two parties over the deal structure. A new Bloomberg report says Dish TV is looking for an all-cash deal, whereas the DTH arm of Bharti Airtel is interested in having a share deal. Back in July 2019, it was reported that the talks between two parties fell apart, only to reinitiate in December 2019. For now, it seems like the merger of Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV will be delayed further, which means Tata Sky will continue as the leading DTH service provider for now.

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Dish TV and Airtel Digital TV Merger Talks Stalled Again

At the end of September 2019, Dish TV is the second largest DTH operator in India sitting marginally behind Tata Sky. Dish TV had a market share of 31.23%, whereas the same for Tata Sky was 31.61%. Dish TV could retain its lost spot in the December quarter, but the merger with Airtel Digital TV will cement its position at the top spot. For the unaware, Dish TV even acquired Videcon D2h a couple of years ago to become the market leader.

Talking about Airtel Digital TV, the operator had a market share of 23.39%. So combined, the merged entity will have over 50% market share which makes it the largest DTH operator not only in India but across the world. Dish TV is fully owned by Essel Group and it’s looking for an all-cash deal with Airtel Digital TV; But the latter is looking to for an all-stock merger, which Dish TV is unwilling to have. As a result of this, the merger talks have been stalled yet again.