Airtel, Tata Grp call off talks for merger of DTH business

NEW DELHI: Bharti Airtel and Tata group have called off talks for merger of their DTH business.

"We wish to inform you that after not being able to find a satisfactory resolution, the parties have mutually decided to terminate the discussions," Airtel said in a statement.

In Feb, the companies said they are in "bilateral discussions" as part of which Airtel was working on a potential transaction to acquire the Tata group's DTH business.

"Bharti Airtel and Tata Group are in bilateral discussions to explore a potential transaction to achieve a combination of Tata Group's DTH business housed under Tata Play Limited, with Bharti Telemedia Limited, a subsidiary of Airtel, in a structure acceptable to all parties," Airtel had said then.

The total active subscriber base of DTH experienced a decline of 2.3 million consumers in the third quarter of 2024 at around 60 million numbers. Tata Play held maximum share at 32%, with Bharti Telemedia at 29.4%, Dish TV at 19.5%, and Sun Direct TV at 19.1%.