IHS and Markit have announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which the companies will combine in an all-share merger of equals to create a global player in critical information, analytics and solutions. Based market value of IHS and Markit at transaction, the implied equity value of the transaction is more than $13 billion. […]
Troubled launch company Sea Launch, which has struggled to stay profitable with its floating barge rocket launch platform, is reportedly in talks that could lead to its sale. US-based turnaround outfit American Industrial Acquisition Corp (AIAC) is the reported buyer. AIAC is headquartered in New York, and specialises in acquiring troubled businesses. Sea Launch was […]
Verizon Digital Media Services has acquired broadcast monitoring and content archiving company Volicon, the terms weren’t disclosed. According to Bob Toohey, president of Verizon Digital Media Services, Volicon will improve Verizon’s ability to offer a ‘seamless option’ for repackaging existing broadcast feeds and channels for cloud-based OTT services. A key Verizon offer for all kinds […]
Cellfish, the French digital media company, has bought bankrupt OTT TV service TeVolution to accelerate its multi-screen proposition. Cellfish operates into 10 countries (including Germany, Meicon, France and Australia) in several sectors: music (with Hitster), video (with Tiny Kids), and games and personalised mobile services. Launched in 2012, TeVolution, which offers access to DTT channels […]
Over the last two years, Eastern Europe remained an active pay-TV market from an M&A perspective, with high fragmentation in the cable sector leading to ongoing consolidation, reports SNL Kagan in an analysis of the sector. Another supporting factor is high pay-TV penetration, which limits greenfield growth opportunities in cable, while intense competition among multiple […]
Mediaset is close to selling its pay-TV unit to Vivendi, in a move that would strengthen the French media group’s grip on Italy, Reuters reports. Vivendi is already the biggest shareholder in Telecom Italia with a 23.8 per cent stake and is seeking to build a significant southern European business. The talks are being led […]
Germany’s Freenet is set to acquire transmission company Media Broadcast Group for €295 million to expand into Internet-based TV services. Under the deal, Freenet’s unit mobilcom-debitel GmbH will buy shares and provide a shareholder loan for the repayment of bank loans. Broadcast group’s satellite services are not included in the transaction, Freenet said. If the […]
In a deal that reinforces its position as one of the fastest growing global media and entertainment companies, beIN MEDIA GROUP has acquired 100 per cent of Miramax, one of the most distinguished and recognisable brands in entertainment and synonymous with award-winning and original content. Selling shareholders include Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Colony Capital. […]
Modern Times Group (MTG) has confirmed it will be selling its Ukrainian pay-TV business Viasat Ukraine to Ukraine’s 1+1 Media Group. Completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval. “The sale of our Ukrainian operations is part of our ongoing strategic portfolio review. The Ukrainian team have created popular TV entertainment platforms and products, […]
The European Union has confirmed that it is to conduct an ‘in depth’ probe into the planned acquisition of Arianespace by a consortium led by Airbus Group and French-based rocket engine specialists Safran. The two technology giants had planned to acquire launch company Arianespace, and in the process compensate the French state which itself controls […]