JioStar, the newly formed media giant from the Reliance-Disney merger, is set to lay off around 600 employees across India. The decision is part of a major restructuring effort aimed at optimising resources and removing duplicate roles following the consolidation.
The layoffs will affect employees from both Reliance and Star as the company reorganises its workforce. With JioStar now being the country’s largest media and entertainment player, the merger has created overlapping functions, making job cuts unavoidable.
To ease the transition, JioStar is working with an outplacement agency to assist impacted employees in finding new opportunities. The company has assured that existing health insurance and hospitalisation benefits will remain active until their policy period expires.
JioStar has introduced a severance package that is considered one of the most competitive in India. Employees will receive up to 15 months of salary, with a minimum of nine months’ pay guaranteed. Those who have worked for less than five years will be eligible for gratuity based on their tenure.
In an effort to retain talent, JioStar is looking to reassign some affected employees to other Reliance group companies, particularly in technology-related roles. This approach aims to limit job losses within the wider organisation.
The Reliance-Disney merger, finalised in early 2024, created a dominant force in India’s media landscape. The move was designed to expand operations, cut expenses, and reinforce the company’s presence in streaming, sports, and general entertainment. However, restructuring was inevitable due to overlapping teams and functions.
Despite the current challenges, JioStar is focused on long-term sustainability, and is pursuing greater efficiency and profitability in the competitive media industry.
