Advanced Television

Technicolor in Grass Valley transmission disposal

French technology and media services company Technicolor has received a binding offer from Parter Capital Group, a private equity investment consultancy firm based in Germany, to acquire its transmission business, operating under the Thomson Broadcast brand. The offer values the Transmission business for a non-material amount. As announced early 2010, a range of former Grass […]

December 26, 2010

Technicolor in Grass Valley transmission disposal

French technology and media services company Technicolor has received a binding offer from Parter Capital Group, a private equity investment consultancy firm based in Germany, to acquire its transmission business, operating under the Thomson Broadcast brand. The offer values the Transmission business for a non-material amount. As announced early 2010, a range of former Grass […]

December 24, 2010

Comcast-NBC merger on course for January approval

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission has revealed that he will vote to approve the proposed merger of Comcast and NBC Universal as long as certain conditions are met. Julius Genachowski December 23 issued a draft order of approval for the merger on the condition that the companies promise to share TV shows not […]

December 24, 2010by Colin Mann

Pause for Comcast-NBCU deal

The proposed deal to merge NBCU and Comcast is now no longer expected to close before the end of the year. NBCU head Jeffrey Zucker distributed a holiday-greetings memo to employees saying that the companies expect a “green light” for the deal in January, and Comcast confirmed the new timetable Wednesday 22 December. Both companies […]

December 23, 2010by Colin Mann

News Corp gets EC merger approval

As anticipated, the European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of BSkyB by News Corporation. The Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. The Commission’s findings concern solely the competition aspects of the proposed […]

December 22, 2010by Colin Mann

Ofcom raises concerns over BSkyB bid

UK media regulator Ofcom has written to News Corporation raising a number of issues relating to the media group’s proposed acquisition of the 60.1 per cent of BSkyB it doesn’t already own, according to UK media reports. The document, known as an issues statement, sets out concerns raised by interested parties, including commercial rivals, during […]

December 16, 2010From Colin Mann in London

IFTA urges stronger online copyright protection

Global trade association the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) has urged the US Department of Commerce and other government agencies to take concerted action to enhance effective online copyright protections. It contends that online piracy has put at risk future production by harming independents’ ability to recoup minimum guarantees. IFTA submitted the comments in […]

December 15, 2010

BBC Trust unveils strategy

A new strategy to deliver more distinctive, high quality programmes, improved value for money and greater transparency for all audiences has been published by the BBC Trust, the body that sets BBC strategy and top-level budgets . Launching the final conclusions of the Strategy Review, BBC Trust Chairman Sir Michael Lyons stressed that the BBC […]

December 15, 2010From Colin Mann in London

Intelsat and Eutelsat want Canada’s Telesat

Global satellite provider Intelsat is in the lead to buy Canada’s Telesat. According to reports, Intelsat is now the front runner in the bidding battle to buy the Canadian satellite operator, and is seen to be ahead in the process thanks to a complex restructuring which will therefore comply with US anti-monopoly regulations. Eutelsat is […]

December 14, 2010Chris Forrester

Netflix secures Disney/ABC shows

The Walt Disney Co. has reached an agreement with Internet movie and TV subscription service Netflix that allows the platform to stream television shows from the ABC network, Disney Channel and ABC Family, significantly strengthening its position as an online video provider. The agreement raises the competition between Netflix and Hulu, the online streaming service […]

December 9, 2010