euro news_news 14/08/2015 09:23 Page 2
Amino to acquire Entone
In a further consolidation of the in-home device sector, Amino
Technologies, the UK-based provider of digital entertainment solutions
for IPTV, Internet TV and in-home multimedia distribution, is to acquire
US broadcast hybrid TV and connected home
“We anticipate a
solutions provider Entone for $73 million (€67.2m).
number of synergies
Donald McGarva, chief executive of Amino, said the
between the two
acquisition had the potential to transform its business
companies.”
and broaden its capabilities and market reach globally
across IPTV, hybrid broadcast and a range of connected home solutions. “It
also aligns closely with our recent acquisition of cloud-TV platform provider
Booxmedia, in enabling us to meet the evolving needs of customers across a
range of markets as they transition to cloud-based IP-driven multiscreen
entertainment delivery. We anticipate a number of synergies between the two
companies and expect the proposed acquisition to be earnings enhancing in
the first full year of combined operations,” he added.
Steve McKay, chief executive of Entone, said that bringing together Amino
and Entone would create a significant new presence in the pay-TV market with
solutions and skillsets that are highly complementary. “We share a very similar
vision as to how our industry is changing and the kinds of solutions that are
required to address both existing and new customers.”
Ooyala acquires
Nativ
In a move that expands its
technology stack into video
production, pre-production
and broadcast planning for
hybrid OTT and on-air video
services, video, analytics and
advertising technology
provider Ooyala, an
independent subsidiary of
Australia’s Telstra telecoms,
has acquired London-based
Nativ, a provider of cloudbased media logistics and
workflow software and
services.
Nativ’s modular suite of
media production, postproduction, delivery and
syndication workflow software,
called MioEverywhere,
redefines end-to-end media
management for today’s datadriven, multiscreen world. It
removes the cost and
complexity of creating,
managing and delivering
content in the cloud.
Nativ is Ooyala’s second
acquisition within the last nine
months, following its purchase
of ad tech provider Videoplaza
in October 2014. It is the next
step in Ooyala’s multi-phase
strategy to deliver the most
comprehensive, data-driven
personalised TV and video
8 EUROMEDIA
platform that will power the
next generation of television.
According to Ooyala, the
acquisition comes at a pivotal
time for the industry, as the
traditional systems for
managing media workflow for
on-air content delivery are
undergoing major
transformation, in the same
way that media delivery and
monetisation solutions are
transforming into more open,
modular, cloud-based systems.
Ooyala plans to operate
Nativ as a stand-alone new
line of business under the
Ooyala brand. Over time it
will integrate Nativ’s
technologies with its core
video publishing, analytics
and monetisation platform.
Jay Fulcher, president and
chief executive officer for
Ooyala, says the new TV
marketplace can’t be serviced
by legacy broadcast business
systems. “New data-driven
technologies and services will
transform the way
broadcasters, media
companies and brands
operate in the era of multiscreen consumption. A
transformation of this scale
represents massive
opportunity for the
innovators that can drive
new, future-proofed
standards. Nativ’s Mio
platform puts Ooyala even
further at the forefront of
providing a true end-to-end
platform that can serve all
video business needs end to
end, from production
through to monetisation.”
Tele Columbus
acquires PrimaCom
for €711m
Tele Columbus Group, the
third largest German cable
network operator, is to
acquire PrimaCom Holding
GmbH, the fourth largest
German cable network
operator, for €711m cash.
The combination of two of
the leading German operators
will result in a strong number
three player in the German
cable market bringing
together 2.8m homes
connected and two wellestablished Housing
Association customer
portfolios on one platform.
With the acquisition of
PrimaCom, Tele Columbus
says it is successfully driving
the consolidation of the
German cable market and
underlining its leading role in
this process. The
combination of the two
biggest German mediumsized providers is pushing
competition in the Internet
and Telephony and Premium
TV sector. The new combined
company offers attractive
growth potential and enables
the company to realise scale
efficiencies across the
combined customer and
network base. The
combination of both
companies allows the
acceleration in the
development and
technological innovation of
new and existing products in
the interest of our partners
and customers.
Ronny Verhelst, CEO of
Tele Columbus, described the
deal as “a transformational
transaction” for Tele
Columbus, strengthening its
position as the number three
player in the German cable
market. “Strategically and
economically, this is a highly
logical combination with
significant network overlap
between the two businesses
and complimentary Housing
Association customer bases.
PrimaCom has shown
impressive financial and
operational performance over
recent years and we look
forward to further successes
going forward,” he stated.