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We’re just over a month into 2017 and already rumours are circulating about a magical mega deal set to take place this year. Despite the lack of evidence to back-up a Disney acquisition of Netflix, there has been much discussion throughout the industry about whether such an acquisition can and will actually happen. Worth $56 billion, Netflix is the world’s biggest subscription-streaming service, with more than 80 million paying customers. This elevated… Read More
Sky has reached an agreement on the terms of a full takeover from Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox. The deal has been met with controversy since rumours first began circulating, however both parties have now agreed that Fox will pay £11.7bn for the 61 per cent stake in Sky that it does not already own, valuing the FTSE 100 company at £19bn. The acquisition will combine Fox’s film and television influence with… Read More
Whether it is a food manufacturer acquiring a start-up that specialises in organic goods or a media company making an investment in app development, there is little doubt that a number of M&A deals are being driven by businesses wanting to make that shift to attracting a younger market. Accessing new markets through M&A enables businesses to build a safety net, or ecosystem, to ensure they are protected when times get tough…. Read More
Media M&A has picked up significantly over the last few years in line with the structural changes to the industry. With the increasing development of technology that is now readily available to consumers has come a growing appetite to digest media through a number of channels. In today’s world the power of print is dwindling, and virtually all newspapers and magazines now engage their readership through apps and, in some cases, subscription… Read More
With Finding Dory set to be the blockbuster family movie of the summer, we are reminded of one of the most successful M&A stories from the last twenty years. Not only did Disney’s acquisition of Pixar Studios see the corporation’s luck start to turn, it also continues to provide a shining example of a successful post-acquisition strategy. Acquisition In 2005, Disney was struggling with creative output and failing to gain much commercial… Read More
Love it or hate it, sport is everywhere, not only featuring on the back pages of our newspapers, but also dominating the front pages too. The business of sport generates massive revenue – it is estimated the global sports industry is worth almost $600bn, so it is no wonder it has sparked interest from investors over recent years. So, what makes a sporting deal different from a traditional acquisition? Sport is huge… Read More
Over the last few years, television has gradually lost its dominance as a source of entertainment, news and information. Viewers, and in particular the millennial generation, are now looking to digital platforms to access their favourite television shows, films, news broadcasts and sports fixtures. With this, television sets are slowly but surely becoming a thing of the past, as viewers increasingly turn to laptops, tablets and other mobile devices. Recognising the importance… Read More