News Corp and Permira Completed Buyout of NDS
February 2009
News Corp completed its buyout of content protection and STB software company NDS with U.K. private equity firm Permira for US$3.7 billion. That means that NDS is now private, with News Corp owning 49 percent and Permira with 51 percent ownership. After the sale, NDS was delisted from trading on NASDAQ. CEO, Abe Peled, said in a statement that the company needs to be flexible and have the “strategic agility” to make any kinds of deals. The thinking was that NDS’ ownership by News Corp. was seen as less favorable when making deals with other Pay TV Operators. Peled said that NDS can better “capitalize on these new opportunities with a more independent structure and the expertise of Permira.”
Source: MRG, Inc., February 2009 IPTV Bulletin
U.S. Gets $7 Billion Broadband Stimulus
February 2009
In February, President Barack Obama signed into law a US$787 billion economic stimulus package, which includes US$7 billion for broadband infrastructure. The primary goal of the broadband stimulus package seems to be promoting broadband access in rural areas where there is little existing broadband access.
Will the broadband stimulus package help create jobs? Most analysts agree that it won’t help to create many during the construction and building phase. However, most of the benefits will be seen after the various broadband projects are completed. It should lead to more jobs, more broadband usage, and investment due to broadband.
Source: MRG, Inc., February 2009 IPTV Bulletin
Bharti Airtel Launches IPTV in India
February 2009
In January, Indian Telco Bharti Airtel launched its commercial IPTV service “Digital TV.” Although Bharti also has a DTH service, officials said that IPTV would focus more on urban professionals, while DTH would be more mass market. The IPTV service is currently available in the state of Delhi, however, seven additional cities (including Mumbai and Bangalore) are planned in the future.
The IPTV triple-play service costs Rs999 per month (US$20.45) for the premium package with 135 TV channels, 256Kbps unlimited broadband Internet and a landline connection. The “Combo pack” is Rs599 per month (US$12.25) with 117 channels, a 2.5GB monthly download limit and no landline connection.
The service includes the ability to order pizzas for home delivery from the TV, as well as movie ticket ordering. In addition, the service includes time-shift TV, which lets viewers watch shows from the previous 7 days.
Source: MRG, Inc., February 2009 IPTV Bulletin
|
