Rumour: Are Walt Disney and UTV joining hands?

The sensational rumour that’s erupted in the market is about media & entertainment major, UTV and US media giant, Walt Disney joining hands.

A leading economic newspaper in Mumbai carried a report about Walt Disney, which operates two television channels in India ��� Disney Channel and Toon Disney ��� joining hands with UTV to battle Time Warner�۪s Cartoon Network in the kids channel space in India.

It is common knowledge that Hungama Television (owned by UHE) is a leading children’s channel in India and a joint venture in which UTV holds 49% stake, and a move between the two giants to collaborate in some form will help Disney consolidate its foothold in India using UTV’s expertise while the latter would secure a huge investment.

When contacted, Tanuj Garg, who heads UTV’s affairs in the UK remarked, “I cannot comment, nor am I aware of this.”

We hear that UTV HQ in Mumbai has issued a denial and we must admit that the exact nature and structure of the deal, if any, is still not known, but the wind in the market that something is brewing between UTV and Walt Disney is strong!

UTV’s next international film releases are ‘Khosla Ka Ghosla’ (22nd September) and ‘Don’ (20th October).