UK media regulator Ofcom has written to News Corporation raising a number of issues relating to the media group’s proposed acquisition of the 60.1 per cent of BSkyB it doesn’t already own, according to UK media reports. The document, known as an issues statement, sets out concerns raised by interested parties, including commercial rivals, during […]
Despite previous reports linking Eutelsat with Canada’s Telesat, the Paris-based satellite operator confirmed Dec mber14 that it had no interest in acquiring Telesat. A Eutelsat spokeswoman repeated previous statements from CEO Michael de Rosen that the operator is much more looking to Asia for any expansion prospects. Meanwhile Intelsat itself is stressing that the complex […]
Scripps Networks Interactive is in talks to buy Virgin Media’s 50 per cent stake in cable operator UKTV for about $500 million, the Wall Street Journal has reported. UKTV is a joint venture between Virgin and BBC Worldwide and currently consists of the channels: Alibi, Dave, Eden, Gold, Blighty, Good Food, Watch, Home. Really and […]
Six bidders are reportedly in a race to pick up broadcasting assets from Turkish media giant Dogan Yayin. Discovery Communications, Time Warner and RTL are amongst the potential bidders reported by FT to likely proceed to the second round of the bidding process. TV channels Kanal D and Star are amongst the assets up for […]
Global satellite provider Intelsat is in the lead to buy Canada’s Telesat. According to reports, Intelsat is now the front runner in the bidding battle to buy the Canadian satellite operator, and is seen to be ahead in the process thanks to a complex restructuring which will therefore comply with US anti-monopoly regulations. Eutelsat is […]
German media group ProSiebenSat.1 is considering selling a number of foreign broadcasters, including Dutch Net 5, SBS6 and Veronica according to various reports citing CEO Thomas Ebeling. According to Ebeling, a sale of units is possible depending on an attractive offer or a strategic premium. ProSiebenSat.1 acquired the broadcasters three years ago after its merger […]
Com Hem is up for sale and expected to fetch 13 billion ($1.89 billion) to 18 billion kronor, according to the Dagens Industri newspaper. Swedish telco Telia and Norway’s Telenor are named as the potential buyers, of the private equity owned operator. Telia spun the company off in 2003 in order facilitate its bid to […]
Funds controlled by Australian investment bank Macquarie have again invested in broadcasting and transmission capacity. This time Macquarie has spend €574 million buying Ceske Radiokomunikace, the Czech Republic’s main TV and radio transmission service provider. As regards the Czech purchase, Macquarie has bought 100 per cent of Ceske Radiokomunikace from Falcon Group, itself controlling or […]
Liberty Global has announced an agreement to acquire 100 per cent of the equity of Aster Sp. z.o.o (Aster Cable) from private equity funds of Mid Europa Partners. Poland’s Aster provides video services to 368,000 (including 92,000 digital TV), 177,000 Internet and 70,000 fixed telephony subscribers. Mike Fries, President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty […]
Australian investment funds managed by Macquarie have increased their holdings in the lucrative satellite and TV services sector. Various Macquarie funds already invest in UK-based Arqiva, and have just bought facilities house Ascent Media, part-owned by John Malone, which has sold its distribution business to Encompass Digital Media for $120m, including $7m of debt. Malone […]