Advanced Television

M&A

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

Did I say that out loud?

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 […]

December 23, 2010

Rovi scoops Sonic Solutions

  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 […]

December 23, 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

Qualcomm reveals 700 MHz spectrum sale

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 […]

December 20, 2010

News Corp set to win BSkyB battle?

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 […]

December 20, 2010By Chris Forrester

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