"Disney's Strategic Move: Free Cricket to Dominate India's Streaming War"

Walt Disney is attempting to revive its struggling streaming business in India by offering free cricket on smartphones, hoping to boost advertising revenue and offset the impact of a subscriber exodus. Disney's streaming operations in India, which were its largest globally by users last year, posted a loss of $41.5 million on revenue of $390 million for the year to March 2022. The company misjudged Indians' willingness to pay for content, leading to a significant decline in subscribers. By offering free cricket on mobile devices, Disney aims to attract more viewers and drive advertising revenues. The company is also exploring options for a joint venture or sale of its India business.