Bharti Airtel may buy another 'loss-making' Tata Group company, after 7 years

Bharti Airtel is reportedly in advanced negotiations with the Tata Group to acquire Tata Play, India's largest direct-to-home (DTH) business. The move aims to strengthen Airtel's position in the digital TV segment, which has been facing growth challenges, and enhance its bundled offerings to boost non-mobile revenues through convergence. According to a report in Economic Times, "Bharti Airtel is in advanced negotiations with the Tata Group to buy loss-making Tata Play, India’s largest direct-to-home (DTH) business, said people aware of the matter. The aim is to consolidate its presence in the digital TV segment that’s facing growth challenges while improving Airtel’s bundled offerings to shore up its non-mobile revenues through convergence."

This would mark the second major deal between the two business groups, following Bharti's acquisition of Tata's consumer mobility business in 2017. The acquisition of Tata Play would further consolidate Airtel's presence in the Indian market and align with its broader strategic goals.

The declining popularity of DTH services due to the rise of over-the-top (OTT) platforms and free-to-air options has prompted Tata to reconsider its involvement in the segment. Tata Play, despite being the market leader, has struggled to maintain its position and profitability.

Acquiring Tata Play would offer several advantages to Airtel. It would provide a larger customer base, access to premium subscribers, and strengthen its ability to compete with Jio's aggressive offerings. Additionally, it would enable Airtel to offer bundled services, such as broadband and DTH, to its customers.

While the specific terms of the deal are yet to be finalized, Airtel is expected to acquire Tata Play at a valuation similar to the recent Temasek deal. The acquisition could also pave the way for Airtel to expand its broadband offerings through Tata Play Fibre.
The potential acquisition of Tata Play by Bharti Airtel could have significant implications for the Indian DTH market. It could lead to further consolidation among the players, as well as increased competition in the digital TV and broadband sectors.