Walt Disney is planning to explore some new strategic options for its Star India business, including a joint venture or a sale, according to a media report.The company has talked to at least one bank about the ways to help the business grow in India, while sharing some of the costs, said the report.However, it is not yet clear whether Disney will pursue these ways or not.Disney & Star India dealWalt Disneys India business comprises Disney+ Hotstar streaming service and Star India, which it took over when it acquired the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox in 2019. As per predictions, Star Indias overall revenue for the fiscal year ending in September 2023, is expected to fall around 20 per cent to slightly less than $2 billion. Stars earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization are expected to experience a downfall of approximately 50 per cent for that period, from about $200 million last year.Hotstar to lose subscribers: Report It is expected that Hotstar might witness a fall in subscribers from 8 million to 10 million in the third quarter of its fiscal, said the report. Apart from Hotstar, Star India encompasses dozens of TV channels and a stake in a movie production company. Moreover, Disney is also cutting costs as macroeconomic headwinds weigh on its advertising revenue and subscriber growth. Earlier this year, the company said that it would slash 7,000 jobs as a part of efforts to save $5.5 billion in costs in a sweeping restructuring of Disney. Yet, there are no remarks so far. On Tuesday, the companys shares closed up 1.6 per cent.
