Time Warner has folwed up its results with news it is separating AOL's dial-up internet access service from its faster-growing online advertising business. The move could presage a sale or further realignment of both businesses. Jeff Bewkes, Time Warner's chief executive, called the split “one of our top priorities”, adding: “This should significantly increase AOL's […]

Teleste has acquired the Finnish software and video service solution provider Ortikon Interactive Ltd. Founded in 2000 Ortikon develops complete integrated software solutions designed for video business. The company supplies the related comprehensive systems mainly for European cable operators. As demand for the new video services increases in Europe the market share of digital headend […]

From Colin Mann in London Neil Berkett, acting CEO of UK 'quad-play' operator Virgin Media, has given a strong indication that it is unlikely to launch a renewed bid for commercial broadcaster ITV plc, and also confirmed that it does not intend to compete in the 'premium TV' market. He told members of the Broadcasting […]

Amazon is to bow out of DVD rentals and throw its weight behind Lovefilm, the leading European specialist,. Amazon is to transfer its subscribers and inject some cash to Lovefilm in exchange for a stake believed to be about 30 per cent of the company and valued at about £60 million (E80m) to £70 million. […]

Serafina Holdings, an entity formed by BC Partners, Silver Lake and other equity investors, has closed its acquisition of commercial satellite operator Intelsat. Through the transaction, the equity of Intelsat Holdings was valued at about $5 billion. As part of the deal, funds associated with Apax Partners Worldwide, Apollo Management, Madison Dearborn Partners and Permira […]

Google has said it finds Microsoft’s $44.6 billion bid to buy rival Yahoo “troubling” and wants regulators to scrutinise the proposed deal. Google said the tie-up could unfairly limit the ability of consumers to freely access competitors’ email and instant messaging services. It said Microsoft had previously sought “to establish proprietary monopolies”. “Microsoft’s hostile bid […]

Shares in UK commercial broadcaster ITV rose as much as 4.6 per cent in London trading after weekend media reports that private equity firms were consider a takeover bid. ITV shares climbed as much as 3.5 pence to 80 pence and traded at 79.3 pence as of 12:37pm, valuing the broadcaster at £3.08 billion pounds […]

BC Partners is set to announce the completion of its $16.5 billion purchase of Intelsat, the world's biggest satellite operator. The UK-based private equity firm has agreed to make concessions on the structure and terms of its $15 billion debt package to hold together its syndicate of main banks – Credit Suisse, Bank of America […]

Microsoft has launched a $44.6 billion takeover bid for Yahoo in an attempt to challenge Google. Microsoft’s chief executive, Steve Ballmer, claimed that combining the two companies would create a stronger challenger to Google in the online advertising market. Hesaid the deal would create a “more efficient” company with total annual synergies of $1 billion, […]

UK Business secretary John Hutton is expected to announce imminently whether he accepts the ruling of the Competition Commission that Rupert Murdoch’s pay-TV company must reduce its 17.9 per cent stake in ITV to below 7.5 per cent. It is anticipated it will insist on some sale. ITV’s share price has tumbled since Sky bought […]