Digital entertainment group YooMedia has conditionally agreed to acquire 95.2 per cent of the issued share capital of Fresh Interactive Technologies, a Spanish interactive television company, and has conditionally raised the sum of approximately £12.9 million (E18m) following a share consolidation and restructuring.
Network Electronics has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Video Products Group, a provider of professional video/audio transport systems for local and wide area networks. Major carriers around the world rely on VPG for video transport and broadcast services. The new combined product offering will be unique in its functionality, features and breadth, enabling telcos […]
UK regulator Ofcom is taking over premium-rate phone regulator PhonepayPlus (formerly Icstis) to take a tighter rein on the call-TV industry after a year of scandals. It's one measure to emerge following Ofcom's review of the premium-rate sector after all the main broadcasters were embroiled in instances of charging callers to competition lines despite not […]
Ratings giant Nielsen wants to be the policeman in the battle over rights to video posted online. It is rolling out a new service that aims to ensure that video is distributed and viewed on the Web only in ways sanctioned by its owners. It is hoping to offer the service called Digital Media Manager […]
The US Federal Communications Commission is being investigated by the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight, prompted by criticisms of the FCC’s processes and what one official described as a “breakdown in proper procedure.” The committee informed FCC chairman Kevin Martin and the other commissioners of concerns saying that it wanted the chairman to […]
Bertelsmann is considering taking full control of RTL Group, Europe's largest broadcaster. Bertelsmann confirmed a WSJ report that it was possible it would make an offer for the 10.2 per cent of RTL it does not already own, but cautioned that this had yet to be approved by its supervisory and management boards. Buying the […]
Irdeto announced it has acquired 100 per cent of Cloakware, a privately held software company based in Virginia, USA and Ottawa, Canada. Graham Kill, CEO of Irdeto said: “This acquisition strengthens our existing content security offering, broadens Irdeto's reach across the entire content lifecycle and vertically expands our offering into new markets.” Cloakware's technology, which […]
Channel Five’s director of programmes, Jay Hunt, is the new controller of BBC1. The former controller of BBC daytime will replace Peter Fincham, who resigned following the “Crowngate” scandal.
German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 said adjusted core earnings more than doubled in the third quarter mainly thanks to the acquisition of SBS broadcasting. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose to E124.8 million. As expected by the company, a E120 million fine imposed by Germany’s cartel office for anti-competitive practices in the marketing of advertising […]
Avail Media, provider of IPTV and advanced media services to broadband operators, has closed the final tranche of a $25 million Series B equity round. First time investor Valhalla Partners joined Columbia Capital, Novak Biddle Venture Partners, and Pioneer Ventures in the round. The financing, along with $5 million in debt financing from a strategic […]