Advanced Television

M&A

Global Crossing acquires Genesis Networks

Global Crossing has acquired global video services provider Genesis Networks, an innovator in high-performance, rich-media and video-based solutions serving the world’s major broadcasters, producers and aggregators of specialised programming.  Global Crossing paid aggregate consideration of approximately $27 million, including $15 million in connection with the repayment of existing debt. Founded in 2001, Genesis Networks is […]

November 2, 2010

Canal Plus renews Spanish pay-TV interest

Vivendi’s Canal Plus has renewed its interest in buying a stake in Digital Plus, its Spanish counterpart, as it steps up its international expansion plans. Bertrand Méheut, Canal Plus chief executive, told the FT he was “open” to buying the Spanish broadcaster. But he stressed that there had been no talks since last year when […]

November 1, 2010

News Corp to move on Sky this week

News Corp is expected to begin the formal bid process for BSkyB this week with a formal notification to the European Union of its intention to buy the 61 per cent of the company it doesn’t already own. This step will give British ministers about two weeks to decide whether to refer the bid to […]

November 1, 2010

Tele 5-Cuatro merger gets approval

The merger between Spain’s largest private TV channel Mediaset-controlled Telecinco and Cuatro is closer following the approval of the by the competition watchdog CNC with several conditions. Tele 5 will be barred from selling advertising from the partners’ two main channels (Tele 5 and Cuatro) in one package that makes up more than 22 per […]

October 29, 2010From David Del Valle in Madrid

Cracker maker buys China Network Systems

Want Want Group, a company best known in China for its popular rice crackers, has agreed to acquire China Network Systems, Taiwan’s leading cable television company, in a deal that could be worth $2.4 billion. Chao Yu-pei of Want Want, said that the company had signed an agreement to buy private equity group MBK Partners’ […]

October 26, 2010

Apple targets Sony?

Shares of Sony Corp rose three per cent as traders cited media reports speculating it could be a potential acquisition target of Apple. After Apple’s earning announcement last week when it revealed a cash-pile of $51bn, target spotting has become a major pastime for analysts with Disney, Yahoo, Adobe, Netflix and even Facebook all said […]

October 26, 2010

Astrium takes over ND SatCom

SES Astra and Astrium, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS, have confirmed that Astrium will purchase a 75.1 per cent stake in SES Astra’s satellite equipment provider and ground system integrator ND SatCom, based in Friedrichshafen, Germany. With this agreement, SES Astra and Astrium will be reinforcing their long-term relationship, and will also explore the potential […]

October 25, 2010

Pace acquires 2Wire

STB specialist Pace has completed the acquisition of 2Wire.  Broadband CPE manufacturer 2Wire has a number of clients in the tier-one telco market, particularly in the North American market, including AT&T.  The company was previously owned by a consortium which includes Alcatel-Lucent, AT&T, Telmex and Oak Investment Partners. The deal is expected to make UK-based […]

October 22, 2010

ADB buys Pirelli Broadband

Advanced Digital Broadcast Holdings (ADB), has bought Pirelli Broadband Solutions for E30 million – E22 million in cash and 400,000 ADB shares, about 7 per cent of the company which is quoted on the Swiss exchange. Pirelli’s disposal is part of its stated strategy of focusing on its core tyre business. ADB says acquiring Pirelli […]

October 21, 2010

Spain bars Tele5 and Telefonica from Digital Plus

The Spanish competition watchdog (CNC) has approved the merger between the commercial TV channels Tele 5, controlled by Mediaset  and Prisa-owned Cuatro, but has blocked the entry of Tele5 and Telefonica into the Prisa-controlled pay DTH platform Digital Plus. The decision to limit the TV deal is on the grounds that Digital Plus, with Tele […]

October 21, 2010From David Del Valle in Madrid