Global Markets - Latest Developments
Ericsson has reached an agreement with Microsoft to acquire its TV solution Mediaroom business. This will make Ericsson the leading provider of IPTV and multi-screen solutions with a market share of over 25%. Closing expected during the second half of 2013. Mediaroom is situated in Mountain View, California and employs more than 400 people worldwide.
German media group Bertelsmann has confirmed plans to cut its stake in RTL Group by selling shares on the stock exchange.Bertelsmann said even if it reduces its shareholding in RTL Group, it will maintain a qualified majority of at least 75 percent.
RTL said it intends to apply for listing of its shares on the Regulated Market (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, in addition to the existing listings on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and Euronext Brussels.
The first day of trading for the offered shares is expected before the summer break.
After months of eager anticipation, Intelsat Global Holdings S.A has finally announced details of its initial public offering this year. Intelsat said it was offering 21.74 million common shares and 3 million Series A mandatory convertible junior non-voting preferred shares in its IPO.
Intelsat has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase an additional 3,260,869 common shares and an additional 450,000 preferred shares.
Dish Network Corp. is offering up to US $2.3 billion in senior notes in order to have funds for its 4G goals according to analysts.. Dish said on Wednesday it was offering $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due 2020 and another US $1.2 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.250% senior notes due 2018. Dish said the 2020 and the 2018 notes will be issued at an issue price of 100%.
Content owners, including HBO, Disney/ABC, and Fox are rapidly growing in importance as customers for video encoder and transcoders. Content owners have always purchased some video encoders for primary distribution – which feed into existing Pay TV systems; however, their investment is increasingly in multi-format transcoders that support direct to consumer distribution.
Space Tech Conference (http://www.spacetechexpo.com) the West Coast’s premier space event, to be held on May 21-23, 2013 in Long Beach, California, will bring together high-profile market players and industry specialists to discuss the pressing business issues facing the space industry.
The TV Connect conference and exhibition took the rapidly converging content and TV market into a new era, as thousands of visitors filled the Olympia in London last week. The stellar speaker line-up and calibre of exhibitors and delegates reflected the evolving nature of the industry, specifically focussing on integrating media to monetise the multiplatform environment.
ITU Telecom World 2013 is continuing the ‘one conversation that matters’ this year in Thailand under the theme ‘Embracing Change in a Digital World’. This is supported by a new website launched today to complement the event’s focus on high quality discussion and debate.
Preparations are underway for ITU Telecom World 2013, which will take place in Bangkok, 19 – 22 November, where we will build on the success and findings of last year’s event in Dubai.
Connected home entertainment solutions provider Netgem's current operating profit for 2012 amounted to €12.3 million (-3% compared to 2011) (US$ 15.75 mil.) or 15% of full-year revenue of €81.2 million (-4% compared to 2011). Gross margin for 2012 amounted to €30.2 million (37% of revenue) as compared to €32.4 million in 2011 (38% of revenue).
Operating expenses decreased 9% to €17.9 million in 2012, compared to €19.8 million in 2011, while the number of active customers increased, reflecting the control over operational costs and risks without any impact on the R&D effort.
Fiber distribution service provider The Switch has acquired substantially all of the assets and operations of HTN Communications, LLC (HTN), a provider of sports television and radio distribution services in North America.
Founded in 1956, HTN (formerly Hughes Television Network), is one of the longest-tenured provider of sports television and radio distribution services in North America, providing HD transmission access from every MLB, NBA and NHL sports venue in the United States as well as numerous entertainment events, concerts and news media outlets.
