Italian broadcaster MFE-MediaforEurope has ruled out a complete merger with German broadcaster ProsiebenSat.1 for the time being – as well as a takeover bid – but is open to closer cooperation. Controlled by the family of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, MFE has built a potential stake of 29.9 per cent in its rival […]
In the framework of the review of the proposed merger between Groupe TF1 and Groupe M6, the case team of the French competition authority (Autorité de la Concurrence) has issued its report. In the report, which does not prejudge the final decision by the Board (Collège) of the authority, the case team considers that the […]
Cinedigm, a streaming technology and entertainment company, has closed the acquisition of Digital Media Rights (DMR), a specialty streaming, advertising, and content distribution company. The acquisition closed on March 28th with a purchase price of $16.4 million (€14.7m), payable in instalments. The company paid the first payment of $8 million in cash at closing, which […]
With the WarnerMedia/Discovery merger set to close next month, Discovery has confirmed that HBO Max and Discovery+ will be combined into one streaming offering. Discovery CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels confirmed the news speaking at the Deutsche Bank 30th Annual Media, Internet & Telecom Conference. Wiedenfels said that combining HBO Max and Discovery Plus into a new […]
Charlie Ergen, speaking to analysts following his company’s results announcement, said that without a merger between DirecTV and his own DISH Network the risk is that transmissions from the tow pay-TV operators “will just melt away”. Ergen repeated his previous statements that a merger was inevitable. “The regulatory reasons to not allow [a merger] don’t […]
Tegna, the US broadcast, digital media and marketing services company headquartered in Virginia, and an affiliate of Standard General have entered into a definitive agreement under which Tegna will be acquired by the Standard General affiliate for $24 (€21.17) per share in cash. The transaction has an equity value of approximately $5.4 billion and an […]
Orange Spain, Spain’s second largest network, is exploring a merger with MásMóvil, the fourth largest telco, according to local reports. Both companies would share 50 per cent of the new group, including MasMovil’s shareholders: buyout funds KKR, Cinven and Providence. The resulting company would approach Telefonica in szie, and leapfrog Vodafone, currently the third largest. […]
The CEO of Vodafone, Nick Read, said during a conference call with analysts that it is in active talks with other operators over possible consolidation moves in Spain, Italy, UK and Portugal. All options are open: a merger, a joint venture or a sale of the company. Speculation on a possible merger with MásMóvil are […]
Reports suggest that telco Vodafone and French operator Iliad are in talks to combine their respective Italian businesses. Such a deal would create a business with a mobile market penetration of some 36 per cent and combined revenues of nearly €6 billion. According to Reuters, Iliad is working with investment bank Lazard on a potential […]
AT&T’s DirecTV and Charlie Ergen’s DISH Network have reportedly resumed talks regarding merging their DTH operations – and a deal could be close. The New York Post says it has learned that discussions are again taking place despite past anti-trust concerns that such discussions would never pass muster with the competition authorities. The Post says […]