Advanced Television

M&A

Encompass scoops Ascent’s content distribution business

US-based digital media services provider Encompass Digital Media is to acquire the global content distribution business of Ascent Media Corporation for some $120 million, including approximately $113 million in cash and the assumption of certain indebtedness and obligations totalling approximately $7 million. The deal creates a major global provider of mission-critical outsourced media services to […]

December 3, 2010

SmarDTV to purchase Iwedia assets

SmarDTV, a Kudelski company, has entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets from French technology company Iwedia including the transfer of all staff from Iwedia to SmarDTV. “We are delighted to announce our acquisition of the Iwedia team and assets” said Eric Chaubert, CEO of SmarDTV. “CI Plus is really building steam across Europe […]

December 3, 2010

Diller steps down at IAC, Liberty sells up

Barry Diller is stepping down as chief executive of IAC/InterActiveCorp, adding it had bought out one of its largest shareholders, John Malone’s Liberty Media. IAC said on Thursday Liberty had sold its entire equity stake in IAC in exchange for $220 million in cash and the Evite and Gifts.com businesses. The online businesses will become […]

December 2, 2010

Sky bid may have EU probe

News Corp’s bid to acquire the shares in BSkyB that it does not already own is to be reviewed by the EU competition regulator, now the UK’s own Office of Fair Trading has not sought jurisdiction over the case. The OFT had a deadline of November 26th to ask the EU for permission to review […]

November 30, 2010

Canada needs TV and telco marriage

Two of Canada’s largest companies say their marriage is the best way to keep Canadian content thriving. While regulators have not yet approved telco BCE’s  purchase of broadcaster CTV, both told a Canada parliamentary committee that their union is crucial. The companies say that without working together, neither can compete against a rapidly growing influx […]

November 29, 2010

Broadcom acquires Gigle powerline

Broadcom is to acquire Gigle Networks, a privately-held company that develops system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions for home networking over power lines. When combined with Broadcom’s portfolio of wired and wireless solutions for the home, Gigle Networks’ technology will widen the breadth of Broadcom’s intellectual property and enable the design of more highly integrated SoCs that allow […]

November 23, 2010

Sky bid a sin? Church objects to takeover…

The Church of England has joined calles for News Corp’s proposal to take full control of satellite broadcaster BSkyB to be stopped. In its submission to Ofcom, the Church said that a takeover might lead to a harmful concentration of media power. News Corp would dominate UK television and newspapers it said. The Church’s spokesman […]

November 22, 2010

UPC to purchase Fibernet stake

UPC Hungary, part of Liberty Global, is set to purchase a third of the cable television network of Fibernet Kommunikációs. The transaction could be completed in the first quarter of 2011 after receiving the approval of the competition office GVH. Fibernet provides cable television, broadband, Internet and telephone services to over 150,000 households. The purchase […]

November 22, 2010

Murdoch: “Don’t jeopardise our investment in UK”

James Murdoch has made his toughest statement yet on what could happen should British media regulators refuse News Corp’s bid to acquire the 61 per cent of BSkyB it does not own. He told delegates at Morgan Stanley’s annual media and telecoms conference in Barcelona that the UK government must decide whether it wants to […]

November 18, 2010By Chris Forrester

Telecinco €500m rights issue for Digital purchase

Telecinco, Spain’s largest commercial television station, has said it will raise €499 million to finance the purchase of a stake in pay-TV company Digital Plus. Telecinco will offer investors 5 new shares for every 14 owned at €5.75 each, the Madrid-based broadcaster said in a regulatory filing. Parent Mediaset will take up its rights, Telecinco […]

November 18, 2010