We all have moments we wish we had kept out thoughts to ourselves rather letting their assumed importance persuade us to share them with the world in general. Over sharing is an affliction common to politicians (and, of course, bloggers and columnists – but then that is rather their point). Vince Cable is paying a […]

  Digital entertainment technology specialist Rovi Corporation is to acquire digital video processing, playback and distribution technologies provider Sonic Solutions in a stock and cash transaction valued at some $720 million and the per share value of Sonic common stock at signing of the agreement is $14.17, a 38.2 per cent premium to Sonic’s 30 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Qualcomm has agreed to sell its Lower 700 MHz D and E Block (Channel 55 and 56) unpaired US spectrum licences to AT&T for $1.925 billion. The sale follows Qualcomm’s previously announced plan to restructure and evaluate strategic options related to the FLO TV business operated by FLO TV Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of […]

News Corp is set to get European Union approval to acquire the 61 per cent of BSkyB that it does not already own. Numerous reports refer to a source close to the application who says that News Corp’s absorption of BSkyB does not have a significant anti-competitive impact. The EU verdict will formally be given […]

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 […]

Despite previous reports linking Eutelsat with Canada’s Telesat, the Paris-based satellite operator confirmed Dec mber14 that it had no interest in acquiring Telesat. A Eutelsat spokeswoman repeated previous statements from CEO Michael de Rosen that the operator is much more looking to Asia for any expansion prospects. Meanwhile Intelsat itself is stressing that the complex […]

Scripps Networks Interactive is in talks to buy Virgin Media’s 50 per cent stake in cable operator UKTV for about $500 million, the Wall Street Journal has reported. UKTV is a joint venture between Virgin and BBC Worldwide and currently consists of the channels: Alibi, Dave, Eden, Gold, Blighty, Good Food, Watch, Home. Really and […]