ITV

Tag: acquisition

  • Fox acquires majority stake in National Geographic for $725 million

    Fox acquires majority stake in National Geographic for $725 million

    MUMBAI: Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox has acquired a majority stake in The National Geographic Society for approximately $725 million. 

    The agreement between the two companies expands their 18-year partnership through which they have owned and operated the properties in National Geographic Channels, a joint venture of domestic and international cable television channels which together reach more than 500 million households globally.  

    The National Geographic Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on its mission of science, exploration and education. 

     

    With the transaction valued at $725 million, the Society’s endowment will significantly increase to nearly $1 billion. The new entity will be owned 73 per cent by 21st Century Fox and 27 per cent by The National Geographic Society with a shared governance structure and equal representation on the board of directors. The Board Chair will alternate annually, with National Geographic Society president and CEO Gary Knell, serving as the Board’s first chairman.

    The new expanded joint venture will operate as National Geographic Partners and will combine the National Geographic television channels with National Geographic’s other media and consumer-oriented assets, including: National Geographic magazines; National Geographic Studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities, including travel, location-based entertainment, archival sales, catalog, licensing and ecommerce businesses.

     

    Combining these assets into one organization will create greater opportunities to pursue National Geographic’s mission of increasing knowledge through science, exploration and research.

     

    Declan Moore, a 20-year veteran of the Society currently serving as chief media officer, has been appointed CEO of National Geographic Partners.

     

    “The expansion of our nearly two decade partnership with 21st Century Fox is another milestone for The National Geographic Society, which for much of its 127 years has sponsored groundbreaking scientists and explorers and shared the knowledge and wonder with the world, using the best and most creative media platforms of each era,” Knell said.

     

    “The value generated by this transaction, including the consistent and attractive revenue stream that National Geographic Partners will deliver, ensures that we will have greater resources for this work, which includes our grant making programs that support scientists and explorers around the world. As media organizations work to meet the increasing demand for high quality storytelling across multiple platforms, it’s clear that the opportunity to grow by more closely aligning our branded content and licensing assets is the right path. We now will have the scale and reach to continue to fulfill our mission long into the future. The Society’s work will be the engine that feeds our content creation efforts, enabling us to share that work with even larger audiences and achieve more impact. It’s a virtuous cycle,” he added.

     

    21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch added, “We are privileged to have the opportunity to expand our partnership to continue to bring to audiences around the world, ‘The world and all that is in it,’ as National Geographic Society’s second president Alexander Graham Bell stated more than a century ago. We believe in the Society’s mission of bringing the world to audiences through science, education and exploration.”    

     

    “We’re working hard to focus our portfolio on brands that have unquestionable consumer appeal. This expanded partnership, bringing together all of the media and consumer activities under the National Geographic umbrella, one of the most treasured names in the world, creates vast opportunities and enables this business to be even more successful in a digital environment. In addition, we look forward to benefitting from Declan’s leadership and his keen ability to make the spirit of National Geographic come to life every day through rich storytelling across media for millions around the world. We’re very excited and honored to work with the Society’s extraordinary explorers, scientists and visual storytellers to propel their incredible work to audiences around the globe,” he added.

     

    The additional resources will enable The National Geographic Society to basically double its investment in an array of science, research and education programs. Plans include the creation of the National Geographic Grosvenor Center for Education, dedicated to improving the geographic skills of high school students, and the establishment of Centers of Excellence in Cartography, Journalism and Photography, which will develop and fund innovations in exploration, mapping and story-telling. The National Geographic Museum, thought leader forums, and related programs will remain under the Society’s purview, all with the support of a focused philanthropic development team.

     

    “The National Geographic Society Board of Trustees truly believes that this expanded partnership with 21st Century Fox well positions our institution for today and for tomorrow – in a way that ensures a sustainable future, while protecting and building upon the legacy of our founders. Our partners at 21st Century Fox have been extraordinarily collaborative for nearly two decades, and we are certain that the future is brighter as a result of today’s announcement,” said NGS Board chairman of the Society CEO from 1998 to 2014 John Fahey, Jr.

  • FremantleMedia acquires 51% stake in Fontaram

    FremantleMedia acquires 51% stake in Fontaram

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has acquired a majority stake in Fontaram, the newly formed French scripted company from well known French producer-writer partners François Aramburu and Pascal Fontanille.

     

    FremantleMedia will have a 51 per cent holding with the opportunity to buy the remaining shareholding in the future.

     

    The acquisition is part of FremantleMedia’s drive to expand its scripted presence globally and follows its recent purchase of Wildside, an Italian TV and feature film company. The deal was brokered by FremantleMedia France CEO Monica Galer, who will have a seat on the board of the new company. 

     

    Galer said, “François and Pascale are incredibly talented drama producers with a wealth of experience and long standing relationships with all of the major French broadcasters. This is an important deal for FremantleMedia as we establish our scripted presence in France and I look forward to a successful creative partnership with the duo.”

     

    Aramburu and Fontanille added, “In creating Fontaram and partnering with FremantleMedia, we are giving our new production company the best possible foundation to grow while also fulfilling our creative ambition. Joining an international group to produce French drama and international co-production both broadens our opportunities and allows us to develop new content, within an environment that is constantly changing.”

     

    Prior to forming Fontaram, Aramburu and Fontanille founded Merlin Productions in 2000. The producers are best known for popular drama such as Clem (TF1) with Victoria Abril and Lucie Lucas, the most successful drama in France in 2010. Other recent successes include On se retrouvera (TF1), Meurtres au Pays Basque and Meurtres ? Guérande (France 3).

  • Amazon Web Services acquires video solutions company Elemental

    Amazon Web Services acquires video solutions company Elemental

    MUMBAI: Amazon Web Services (AWS) has agreed to acquire Elemental Technologies, Inc., which is a software-defined video solutions company for multiscreen content delivery.

     

    The acquisition brings together Elemental’s video solutions with the AWS Cloud platform to provide media and entertainment (M&E) companies with integrated solutions to scale video infrastructures as the media industry increasingly moves to internet based delivery.

     

    Elemental software makes it easy for M&E companies to take live and on-demand video destined for traditional networks like cable, satellite, or over-the-air broadcast and re-format that content for distribution to PCs and smart phones, tablets, and TVs. 

     

    “Elemental shares Amazon’s passion for invention and putting the customer first. Together, we’ll collaborate on deeper technology integrations and new infrastructure offerings so that media and entertainment companies can evolve their hybrid and cloud models as they continue to innovate their services for viewers,” said Amazon Web Services SVP Andy Jassy.

     

    Elemental will continue to operate its business under its existing brand, delivering the full range of solutions for pay TV operators, content programmers, broadcasters, governments, and enterprise customers. Elemental will also expand the integration of its offerings with AWS, and through close collaboration with AWS, accelerate the innovation of next-generation services that feature a range of solutions for customers leveraging on-premises assets, hybrid architectures, and cloud.

     

    “The media and entertainment industry is at a unique inflection point, and as a part of Amazon, we will be in an even stronger position to help our customers delight their viewers globally. We’re thrilled to have Amazon supporting our growth and ongoing commitment to our customers’ success,” said Elemental co-founder and CEO Sam Blackman.

     

    Elemental has more than 700 media franchise customers and powers over-the-top (OTT) TV applications like the BBC’s iPlayer, CNNGo, ESPN Score Center, HBO Go, MSNBC Shift, and Sky Go & Sky Now. Additionally, Elemental is supporting the world’s first 4K Ultra HD services including those that were delivered by the BBC during the 2014 World Cup.

  • Inox acquires three multiplexes in Gujarat

    Inox acquires three multiplexes in Gujarat

    MUMBAI: Over the last couple of days, multiplex chain Inox Leisure has acquired three multiplex properties in the state of Gujarat.

     

    While two multiplex properties were acquired in Gandhinagar, the third was acquired in the city of Rajkot.

     

    Inox took over operations of a multiplex located near Adalaj in Gandhinagar comprising three screens and 1308 seats with effect from 31 August, 2015.

     

    Another multiplex property located at R-21 R-World near the Akshardham Mandir in Gandhinagar comprising six screens and 686 seats was also acquired.

     

    The third property, which the company acquired, is located at Old Dharam Cinema Building in Rajkot, which has three screens and 612 seats.

     

    With these three acquisitions, Inox is now present in 54 cities with 100 multiplexes, 389 screens and 1,02,035 seats across India.

  • MediaCom acquires minority stake in Australian media agency

    MediaCom acquires minority stake in Australian media agency

    MUMBAI: WPP’s MediaCom has acquired a minority stake in Rapid Media Services Pty Ltd, a media communications agency in Australia with offices in Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. 

     

    Founded in 2001 as part of full service advertising and communications agency, Rapid Media, Rapid Media Services specialises in media planning, strategy and buying across all traditional, digital and emerging channels. 

     

    Rapid Media Services has been affiliated with MediaCom in Australia since 2001. The company will continue to operate as an independent and stand-alone business led by managing director Vaughan O’Connor. 

     

    This acquisition marks a further step towards WPP’s declared goal of developing its networks in fast-growth markets and sectors.

     

  • FremantleMedia acquires majority stake in Wildside

    FremantleMedia acquires majority stake in Wildside

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has acquired Italian television and feature film producer Wildside. Under the deal, FremantleMedia will have a 62.5 per cent holding with the opportunity to acquire the remaining shareholding in the future. 

     

    Wildside is currently producing The Young Pope, a joint Sky, HBO and Canal + production, directed by Academy Award winner Paolo Sorrentino, and starring two time Academy Award nominee Jude Law and Academy Award winner Diane Keaton. FremantleMedia International is distributing the title in the non-partner territories. 

     

    Founded in 2009, Wildside established itself as one of the most prominent high end drama producers for the Italian and international markets. Recent successes include the Italian version of In Treatment Season 1 and 2 (Sky) and 1992 (Sky), which premiered to critical acclaim at the Berlin Film Festival this year. On the big screen, Wildside Cinema’s successes include award-winning Hungry Hearts, directed by Saverio Costanzo and starring up and coming talent Adam Driver (recently cast in Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens), the EFA Best Comedy 2014 winner The Mafia Kills Only in Summer directed by Pif, the award winning Me and You directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and The Solitude of Prime Numberswhich was nominated for the Golden Lion at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival in 2010. 

     

    FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz said, “This is a key strategic acquisition for FremantleMedia as we continue to strengthen our prime-time scripted presence. Wildside is fast becoming one of Europe’s most sought after drama producers and will complement our existing prime-time drama businesses in the US, Germany, Scandinavia, The Netherlands, Australia and the UK. The team have an impressive track record of attracting world class creative talent and delivering award winning drama so I’m really excited that they are joining our family of production companies.” 

     

    Based in Rome, the company was founded in 2009 by producers Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani, script writers and directors Marco Martani, Fausto Brizzi and Saverio Costanzo following the merger of Wilder and Offside production companies.

  • ARY founder Salman Iqbal to takeover Pakistan’s Bol TV Network

    ARY founder Salman Iqbal to takeover Pakistan’s Bol TV Network

    MUMBAI: ARY founder and CEO Salman Iqbal will be taking over the management of the Bol Network, bringing an end to speculations about the recently launched network’s survival.

     

    In a speech delivered to the Bol Network’s staff at the Bol Auditorium, Iqbal said that the move was made in support of the media industry and the journalistic community of Pakistan. He said that letting such a beautiful vision of a Pakistani company go down just like that had become really hard for him. He further declared that being a true Pakistani, the vision which the Bol Network came up with and the impressive setup that they had been creating for past couple years, has time and again touched his heart.

     

    Speaking at the biggest takeover in the media history of Pakistan, he said that all his life he had worked for the Made in Pakistan title and is proud of being a Pakistani! This made ARY’s vision very close to Bol’s, so the Bolwalas should realign their energies and work towards making a better Pakistan. He motivated the team to go ahead and make their channels up and running as soon as possible.

     

    He reiterated his commitment to Bol’s staff that they need not worry as the policies and vision of their network will be preserved and he will personally sit with key team members and attend to their immediate issues. He also reaffirmed that ARY’s strength and experience will be used to bring the network back on its feet in no time.

  • Balaji Telefilms’ promoters up stake to 47.29% post Star India’s exit

    Balaji Telefilms’ promoters up stake to 47.29% post Star India’s exit

    MUMBAI: After Star’s stake sale of 25.99 per cent in Balaji Telefilms Limited (BTL), the company’s promoters Shobha and Ekta Kapoor have acquired 28,43,000 equity shares at Rs 63.60 per equity share. With this, the promoters have upped their stake in BTL from 42.93 per cent to 47.29 per cent.

     

    Prior to the acquisition, Shobha Kapoor held 14 per cent stake in BTL, which has now been upped to 15.31 per cent (99,82,462 equity shares) post the acquisition of shares from Star Middle East FZ-LLC.

     

    On the other hand, Ekta Kapoor’s shareholding in the company has increased to 23.87 per cent (1,55,62,704 equity shares) from the previous 20.81 per cent post the share acquisition.

     

    Balaji Telefilms group CEO Sameer Nair also acquired 416,000 equity shares, which takes his current holding in the company to 1.06 per cent (692,729 equity shares).

     

    Balaji Telefilms Limited managing director Shobha Kapoor said, “Balaji Telefilms has in place a very strong growth platform in both the television and motion pictures segments. We are very optimistic about our growth outlook that is being driven by a highly capable leadership team. This transaction is reflective of our confidence in the company and its growth story.”

     

    Nair added, “We have already embarked upon several exciting strategic initiatives, which we believe will translate into improved operating and financial performance. We are also very well poised to capitalise on the several opportunities opening up in the media industry.”

  • Viacom completes process of 50% acquisition in ETV channels from Reliance

    Viacom completes process of 50% acquisition in ETV channels from Reliance

    MUMBAI: Viacom Inc, which received approval from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to acquire 50 per cent equity stake in Prism TV for Rs 9.4 billion (approximately $153 million) earlier this month, has completed the transaction.

     

    The transaction was completed today (31 July) between Nickelodeon Asia Holdings Pte Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., and Shinano Retail Private Limited, a company effectively 100 per cent owned by Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited.

     

    Prism runs five regional language general entertainment channels namely ETV Marathi, ETV Gujarati, ETV Kannada, ETV Bangla and ETV Odia, all of which were recently rebranded under the Colors umbrella.

     

    With this acquisition, Viacom Inc. will hold 50 per cent of Prism TV and the remaining 50 per cent interest will continue to be owned by the Network18 Group, Viacom’s partner in the Viacom18 joint venture.

     

    Viacom18 operates 10 channels including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and Colors.  The deal gives Viacom a significant presence in the fast growing regional TV sector in India, where almost 60 per cent of the population of more than 1.2 billion people speak regional dialects as their first language. Collectively, regional TV stations account for the second largest share of viewing in the Indian market, behind only Hindi general entertainment channels.

     

    Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman said, “We’re thrilled to be broadening our presence in one of the largest and fastest growing TV markets in the world, and deepening our already strong partnership with Network18.  This acquisition is an important step in building on our leadership position in India, a key market in Viacom’s international growth strategy.”

     

    Network18 CEO AP Parigi added, “This acquisition by Viacom International Media Networks further strengthens the partnership with Network18 both in terms of depth and breadth. I am confident India will emerge as a global entertainment powerhouse in the year ahead.”

     

    Viacom International Media Networks president and CEO Bob Bakish said, “Regional TV networks – and regional ad markets – are the next wave of growth in India. Having a strong national and broad regional presence gives us a powerful platform to launch additional brands, and introduce successful franchises and formats across India.”

     

    Viacom18 group CEO Sudhanshu Vats said, “This acquisition is a big milestone for Viacom & Network 18 and it showcases their combined conviction to build a powerful broadcast offering for the Indian market.  We are delighted by the transaction and the next growth phase for the companies.”

  • Dentsu acquires Brazil based digital agency

    Dentsu acquires Brazil based digital agency

    MUMBAI: Dentsu Aegis Network has acquired the Brazil based digital agency – Redirect Digital Marketing.

     

    The purpose of the acquisition is to strengthen and expand the range of digital services provided by the Dentsu Group in the largest advertising market in Latin America and enhance its presence in the region.

     

    Founded in 2007, Redirect Digital Marketing offers a range of services including the production of creative and content utilizing digital technology, the implementation of research and campaigns that leverage digital media and social media, performance marketing and search engine optimization (SEO).

     

    The Dentsu Group has to date provided services to its clients in Brazil through full-service advertising agencies NBS (acquired in 2014) and Dentsu Brazil, creative agency mcgarrybowen, full-service digital agency LOV Interactive Communications, and global digital brands Isobar and iProspect.

     

    The acquisition of Redirect Digital Marketing will enable the Group to further hone its competitive edge and accelerate its growth strategy through increased business from its expansion into Curitiba and enhancement of the digital services it provides in the Brazilian market. Post-acquisition, Redirect Digital Marketing will transition toward operating as part of digital performance marketing agency iProspect, one of the Group’s eight global network brands, in the coming months.

     

    In its March 2015 worldwide advertising expenditure forecasts, the Dentsu Group’s media communications agency Carat announced that digital advertising expenditures in Brazil grew 20 per cent in 2014 and are expected to continue to rise 10 per cent in 2015 and nine per cent in 2016.