M&A


Sony agrees Russian joint venture with National Media Group

Russian media holding company National Media Group (NMG) has set up a joint venture with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) to operate the latter’s pay TV channels in Russia. According to a statement published by NMG, it has acquired an 80% stake of a company-operator that broadcasts Sony’s package of three pay channels in Russia. The […]

Vodafone confirms talks with Liberty Global

Vodafone has confirmed that it is in “early stage discussions with Liberty Global” about potentially acquiring parts of its European operations. In a statement Vodafone said that it is in talks with Liberty Global about possibly buying “overlapping continental European assets owned by Liberty Global”. It stressed that it was not in merger talks and […]

VOD veterans launch digital entertainment management firm

A pair of video-on-demand industry veterans from the UK has launched a new media entertainment management consultancy. Anita O’Donnell and Yives Reed (pictured) are behind Media Minds, a London-based firm “designed to bridge the gap between technology and content, people and platforms”. The pair first worked together in nearly two decades ago. They launched a […]

Ex-Rovio animation chief Dorra launches new prodco

Former Rovio Entertainment animation boss Nick Dorra has launched his own Helsinki-based production studio. Haruworks has debuted after what Dorra (pictured) described as a “successful round of funding” from unnamed investors. Dorra has formed an advisory board including children’s entertainment experts such as Fred Seibert, Cake co-founder Tom van Waveren, eOne Family’s Nick Gawne and […]

Viacom & CBS formally exploring new merger proposal

Viacom and CBS are once again formally dating – with exploratory boards created at both companies to look into a merger. Both companies yesterday released statement confirming they had each formed a special committee of independent directors to “evaluate a potential combination” with the other. Previous attempts at merging the two US media giants, which […]

Gaumont launching UK office with Kudos exec

France’s Gaumont is expanding further in Europe with the hire of Kudos executive producer Alison Jackson, who will launch of a UK office for the historic prodco. Jackson will lead Gaumont UK as president, reporting to Gaumont’s Paris-based vice CEO Christophe Riandee. The division, which will be based in London, opens in August. This comes […]

MTG agrees to sell Nordic TV and entertainment assets

MTG has agreed to sell its Nordic broadcasting and entertainment business to Danish telco TDC in a deal that values the business at SEK19.55 billion (US$2.5billion). MTG will merge its Nordic Entertainment and MTG Studios businesses, which employ 1,800 people combined, with TDC to create a fully integrated media and communications provider. The new company […]

Podcast prodco Gimlet launches TV arm

US-based podcast producer Gimlet Media has launched a television and film production arm. Chris Giliberti will lead Gimlet Pictures, whose establishment comes after the firm’s first forays into TV production. The Gimlet exec, who was formerly head of multiplatform for the company, will have two execs working under him – executive produce Eli Horowitz and […]

TV18 takes control of Viacom JV

India’s TV18 Broadcast has become the controlling shareholder in the channels business it operates with Viacom. Network18 Media-owned TV18 has added 1% of Viacom’s shares in Viacom18 to become the 51% majority owner for US$20 million, meaning it takes operational and strategic control. A further element to the agreement means Viacom will continue to supply […]

Ex-ABC unscripted chief to create Spinnaker Chaos with Red Arrow

US unscripted producer John Saade is housing his new production company, Spinnaker Chaos, at Red Arrow Studios. The exec, who has helmed shows such as Dancing with the Stars and Jimmy Kimmel Live, will exclusively work with Red Arrow on new series. Saade (pictured) worked in US broadcaster ABC’s alternative division between 2004 and 2013, […]

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