Advanced Television

M&A

Moody’s downgrades Avanti; Inmarsat a buyer?

Moody’s Financial Services has downgraded London-based satellite operator Avanti Communications, saying – in essence – a default is “almost inevitable” and that Avanti is unlikely to meet its financial obligations in 2016” and adding that there is now potential for marking Avanti’s debt bonds down to CC or ‘junk bond’ status unless the operator can […]

August 1, 2016By Chris Forrester

Pinewood set for £323m sale

Pinewood Studios, the home of many international blockbuster films and movie classics, is set to be acquired by investment fund Venus Grafton in a deal that values the company at £323.3 million (€383.7m). On February 10th 2016, Pinewood appointed Rothschild to assist with a strategic review of Pinewood’s capital base and structure. The background to […]

July 28, 2016By Colin Mann

Vivendi clarifies revised Mediaset offer

French media group Vivendi has clarified that its CEO Arnaud de Puyfontaine, in a letter dated June 21st, informed Mediaset Management of significant differences in the analysis of its subsidiary, Mediaset Premium’s results, for which the two companies are currently in negotiations. In addition, the Group made a proposal to Mediaset on July 25th to […]

July 27, 2016By Colin Mann

Mediaset now a take-over prospect?

Media analysts at Deutsche Bank now caution that investors must consider Italy’s Mediaset as a “take-out” candidate, and – in the bank’s view – is now the leading M&A prospect in the Media sector. Events this week, not least Vivendi completely altering the ‘agreement’ it had to acquire 100 per cent of Mediaset Premium, have […]

July 27, 2016By Chris Forrester

LeEco acquires VIZIO for $2bn

Global technology company LeEco and connected entertainment platform VIZIO have agreed a deal which will see LeEco acquire VIZIO for $2 billion (€1.82bn). The VIZIO hardware and software businesses will be owned and operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of LeEco, while the VIZIO data business, Inscape, will spin out and operate as a separate, […]

July 27, 2016

Vivendi-Mediaset deal off the rails

There remain “significant differences” as far as Vivendi is concerned over its proposed agreement with Mediaset. Vivendi, in a statement June 26th, said it still wanted to come to an agreement, but “under different terms”. Mediaset’s comments are tougher, and suggesting the deal with Vivendi has derailed, “out of the blue”, when Vivendi a month […]

July 26, 2016By Chris Forrester

Quiptel Hong Kong agrees terms of sale with Falcon

Orbital Multi Media Holdings Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Quiptel Hong Kong Limited, an OTT Video Streaming Technology, has agreed terms and entered into exclusive discussions to sell 100 per cent of the group to Falcon Acquisitions, the LSE listed investment company which is strategically focused on investments in the OTT market. Sandip Sarda, Chief […]

July 26, 2016

Verizon buys Yahoo for $4.8bn

Following weekend speculation that a deal was imminent, Verizon Communications and Yahoo have confirmed they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Verizon will acquire Yahoo’s operating business for approximately $4.83 billion (€4.40bn) in cash, subject to customary closing adjustments. Yahoo informs, connects and entertains a global audience of more than 1 billion monthly […]

July 25, 2016

Hinduja Group to merge cable TV, HITs biz

In a bid to consolidate its media investments, the Hinduja Group has decided to merge its cable television business IndusInd Media and Communication, with its Headend-in-the-Sky (HITs) business of Grant Investrade. Tony D’Silva, who currently heads the HITs business, will be in-charge of the merged entity. The Hinduja Group has re-organised the media business to […]

July 25, 2016

EU approves Airbus Safran purchase of Arianespace

The European Commission has approved the take-over of Arianespace by Airbus-Safran Launchers (ASL) and the new ownership is structured with conditions designed to minimise any prospects of anti-competitive behaviour – although who might want to mount a billion-Euro attempt to rival Arianespace is difficult to imagine. ASL now has to pay €150 million ($166m) to […]

July 21, 2016By Chris Forrester