International TV and broadband company Liberty Global is to sell its DTH satellite TV operations currently serving four Eastern European markets to M7 Group.

Liberty Global will sell its DTH operations for a total enterprise value of approximately €180 million on a US GAAP basis, subject to customary debt and working capital adjustments at completion. Closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval, which is expected in the first half of 2019.

Currently the DTH business serves customers in Hungary under the brand UPC Direct, in the Czech Republic and Slovakia under the brand freeSAT, and in Romania under the brand FocusSat.

The proceeds from the sale are expected to be used for general corporate purposes.

Independent TMT analyst Paolo Pescatore sees the move as a further sign of the company seeking to exit the European market, suggesting that soon, it will no longer be the largest international TV and broadband company. “It is only a question of time, not when other assets like Virgin Media are sold,” he concludes.

Other posts by Colin Mann:

1. Analysis: SVoDs drive $220bn content spend
2. A TikToking clock heading towards regeneration – or not?
3. European pay-radio: Getting ready

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, Business, DTH/Satellite, M&A