Kudelski Group has been talking about its bid for the share in Open TV it doesn't already own which Open rejected as inadequate. “Based on Kudelski’s discussions with [OpenTV’s] Special Committee, Kudelski has concluded that continued discussions will not be fruitful and has therefore decided to withdraw its proposal and terminate discussions with the Special […]

An important stake in one of Taiwan's leading cable operators has been put up for sale by some of the company's foreign owners. Taiwan Broadband Communications is owned by a consortium made up of two investment funds linked to Australia's Macquarie Group and Intermediate Capital Group, a London-based provider of debt finance. According to reports, […]

OpenTV’s board of directors has rejected the bid by Kudelski SA to acquire it as “inadequate.” Kudelski, which owns a 26.7 per cent stake and holds 74.7 per cent of the voting rights in OpenTV, in February offered to buy the rest of OpenTV’s share at $1.35 per share in cash. Stock closed at $1.74 […]

Sky has reportedly tabled a £160m (E183m) bid to buy Virgin Media’s seven digital TV channels – this is said to be 60% more than any offer made by rival bidders including Channel 4, RTL, Time Warner and NBC Universal. The seven channels are Living, Living Two, Bravo, Bravo Two, Challenge, Challenge Jackpot and Virgin1. […]

Time Warner is close to spinning off all of its AOL Internet business, according to several reports. Although a decision has not been finalised, executives prefer spinning off the whole division rather than a part. Since Microsoft launched a bid to take over Yahoo last year, Time Warner has attempted to find potential combinations of […]

In a bizarre juxtaposition of brand names, Virgin Media's Richard Branson is said to be mulling a bid for Private Media, owner of the Playboy brand. A number of PE firms have reportedly balked at Playboy Enterprises' $300 million asking price, but Richard Branson's name has been increasingly mentioned as a prospective buyer. The company […]

From David Del Valle in Madrid Approval last week of new legislation that allows TV cross-ownership has paved the way for a planned merger between the Spanish commercial channels Sogecable-controlled Cuatro and La Sexta. Both companies have been negotiating over the last weeks to set up a holding group that would encompass the two channels […]

From Colin Mann in Cologne ActiveVideo Networks has revealed that is to acquire interactive TV platforms and tools specialist Avinity Systems BV, bringing together two leading providers of cloud-based interactive TV platforms and applications, and expanding the reach and availability of the Web-based user experiences that are redefining interactive television (iTV 2.0). The transaction will […]

Orange has confirmed it has dropped out of talks to purchase the technology for Project Kangaroo, the failed VOD joint venture from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. France Telecom, Orange parent company, had been in discussions to acquire the technology since the UK’s Competition Commission banned the project earlier this year. However, France Telecom […]

A commercial partnership being negotiated between BBC Worldwide and Channel 4 would generate annual turnover of £800m (E895m) and a profit of £200m, John Smith, the chief executive of BBC Worldwide, told the House of Lords communications committee. That partnership would include the corporation’s commercial arm’s UK assets, including its 50% stake in the UKTV […]