Bharti Airtel ends merger talks with Tata group over 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,” Bharti Airtel stated in a statement.

Bharti Airtel has officially called off merger talks with the Tata Group regarding the potential integration of their Direct-To-Home (DTH) businesses. The announcement, made via a regulatory filing on Saturday, confirms the end of months-long discussions aimed at combining Airtel’s DTH arm, Bharti Telemedia, with Tata Play, the Tata Group’s DTH platform.

No Agreement Reached

In its statement, Airtel noted:

“After not being able to find a satisfactory resolution, the parties have mutually decided to terminate the discussions.”

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The development follows Airtel’s earlier disclosure on February 26, 2025, when it informed shareholders about ongoing bilateral talks with Tata Group for a potential deal. The companies were exploring a transaction structure that would be acceptable to all stakeholders, but have now opted to discontinue those plans.

Background: Tata Play and Bharti Telemedia

• Tata Play, formerly known as Tata Sky, was launched in 2004 as a joint venture between Tata Sons and 21st Century Fox. In 2019, The Walt Disney Company acquired Fox’s stake in the venture. The company rebranded to Tata Play in 2022.
• Bharti Telemedia, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, offers satellite TV services under the brand Airtel Digital TV.

What This Means

The cancellation of the proposed merger marks a significant development in the Indian DTH market, where both players have been competing for market share amid rising competition from streaming platforms and fiber-based content delivery.