Advanced Television

M&A

Drahi ups BT stake

Billionaire telecoms investor Patrick Drahi has increased his stake in dominant UK telco BT to 24.5 per cent from 18 per cent via his Altice UK investment unit – but reiterated that he does not plan a full takeover. “Altice UK has restated its position to the board of BT that it does not intend […]

May 23, 2023

Comcast: Hulu sale to Disney is “likely”

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts has said it is more likely than not that it would sell its stake in OTT streaming service Hulu to Disney. Comcast has a one-third ownership stake in Hulu. However, Roberts also stressed that Comcast felt it had a “very valuable position” in Hulu and perhaps a string hint that it […]

May 17, 2023By Chris Forrester

EC clears Microsoft Activision acquisition

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed $68.7 billion (€62.2bn) acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft. The approval is conditional on full compliance with the commitments offered by Microsoft, and comes some three weeks after the UK blocked the deal over concerns it would alter the future of the fast-growing cloud […]

May 16, 2023By Colin Mann

More hindrances in Zee/Sony merger

The long-awaited merger between Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) and Sony Pictures Networks India faces another hurdle before the agreement can be wrapped. India’s SEBI (Securities & Exchange Board of India) regulator has asked for more information and has requested the Bombay Stock Exchange and New York exchange as well as the National Company Law […]

May 12, 2023By Chris Forrester

Eutelsat/OneWeb: “Synergies of more than €1.5bn”

Eutelsat says that its upcoming merger with Low-Earth orbiting constellation OneWeb will achieve estimated savings for between €1.5 billion-€1.8 billion in the two businesses’ operational costs, measured against an overall cost to Eutelsat of an estimated €4 billion in terms of acquisition and investment. The Eutelsat and OneWeb merger is on track to close during […]

May 12, 2023

Pure Flix merges with Great American Media

Pure Flix, a faith and family streaming platform owned by Sony Pictures Television, and Great American Media, home to a portfolio of family-friendly media brands, have announced the signing of an agreement to merge the two companies. Pure Flix will become part of the merged company, with Great American Media contributing two cable networks (Great […]

May 12, 2023

Virgin Orbit: 30 potential buyers

Virgin Orbit, currently going through a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection, says there are 30 potential bidders to buy the business. Virgin Orbit is trading under ‘Debtor in Possession’ rules, with the operating cash provided by Sir Richard Branson’s overall holding company. Virgin Orbit, in a formal filing, says there are 30 “indications of interest” including […]

May 9, 2023By Chris Forrester

EC defers Orange/MásMóvil merger decision

The European Commission has announced an extension of 10 working days to its in-depth investigation of the proposed creation of a joint venture by Spanish telcos Orange and MásMóvil. The Commission is concerned that the transaction may reduce competition in the retail supply of mobile and fixed broadband services as well as of multiple-play bundles […]

May 4, 2023By Colin Mann

Maxar acquired by Private Equity

Advent International has wrapped the purchase of satellite builder Maxar Technologies for $6.4 billion (€5.7bn). Maxar Technologies was created in 2017 from the combination of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) and DigitalGlobe, with the resulting company renamed Maxar. Maxar was also the parent of Space Systems Loral (SSL) based in Palo Alto, California. The company’s […]

May 4, 2023

Tata Communications closes The Switch acquisition

Tata Communications, a digital ecosystem enabler, has announced completion of the acquisition of The Switch Enterprises. The $58.8 million (€53.5m) cash transaction has been closed post customary adjustments and regulatory approvals. Tata Communications, through its wholly owned international subsidiary Tata Communications (Netherlands) B.V. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100 per cent equity stake […]

May 2, 2023