The head of U.S. giant Disney’s Hotstar streaming app in India, Sajith Sivanandan, has resigned, three sources said on Thursday, as business integration gathers pace after the company’s $8.5 billion merger with Reliance’s India media assets.
The resignation comes days after an internal decision for all live sporting events of the merged entity, including the popular Indian Premier League (IPL), to be streamed on Disney’s Hotstar app, and not Reliance’s JioCinema, Reuters reported.
That was the first major step in integration after the deal to create India’s biggest entertainment company.
However, the leadership has yet to decide if JioCinema will continue as a separate app, said two of the sources, who all spoke on condition of anonymity, as the discussions are private.
Sivanandan, Disney and Reliance did not respond to queries from Reuters.
After the merger, Disney and Reliance will together have more than 100 TV channels and two streaming apps, and will compete with Sony, Netflix, and Amazon Prime.
Sivanandan worked at Hotstar for more than two years after working at Google for 15 years.
JioCinema is currently led by Kiran Mani, another former Google, opens new tab executive who has been associated with Reliance’s media unit for about a year.
Reliance’s JioCinema has the rights to IPL cricket, a money-spinner that is among the most-streamed content, as well as to the Winter Olympics and Indian Super League football.
Hotstar has rights to the International Cricket Council’s tournaments in India and English Premier League soccer.
Network18 Q4 revenue rises nearly 10% despite ad slowdown
Dish TV board strengthens with three independent directors
Gemini-Google duo crackdown on 483.7mn policy-violating ads in India
GTPL Hathway reports steady FY26 growth, launches HITS platform for expansion
Rajeev Khandelwal brings symbolic style to ‘Tum Ho Naa’ hosting
Pocket FM elevates Lalit Gangwar as COO to drive global growth
‘Clarkson’s Farm’ S5 premieres June 3 on Prime Video
Tata Play Binge adds Pocket Films to Shots portfolio
Zee sets November–December window for ILT20 S5 

