27 October 2015
MTG announced on 26 October that it had simultaneously signed and completed the sale of its Russian and international pay-TV channel businesses for a total consideration of 45.5m US dollars. The Russian channel business comprises factual, movie and sports channels, while the international channel business comprises pan-regional factual channels and the TV1000 movie channels.
These transactions do not include MTG’s other entertainment channels or platforms, or the global Trace pay-TV channels business. The businesses being sold generated combined revenues of 448m Swedish krona [US $52.8m] and operating profits of 102m krona for the first nine months of 2015.
Sabiero Holdings Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the international private equity firm Baring Vostok, has acquired MTG’s international channels business, and Russian company LLC Sinerdzhi has acquired the Russian channels business.
Irina Gofman, MTG executive vice president and CEO of the acquired businesses (pictured left), will be responsible for these businesses under the new ownership, and the existing management teams and employees will also stay with the acquired businesses under the new ownership.
“The sale has been made necessary by the changes in the Russian laws regarding foreign ownership of mass media that were announced last year and come into effect from the beginning of next year. We have undertaken a thorough review of the options available to us in this context and to seek the best possible outcome for the stakeholders in the businesses and MTG as a whole.
“I want to thank all of our talented and loyal colleagues who have contributed so much to the remarkable growth of these operations that we launched. We wish you the very best for the future and look forward to further success together as we continue to carry the channels on our various pay-TV platforms.
“These transactions and the agreement announced by CTC Media aim to conclude our act! ions to comply with the new Russian laws. Our total cash income from our 123m dollars of cash investments in Russia since 2001 would then be approximately 770m dollars and equivalent to a cash return of more than five times our investment.” – Jorgen Madsen Lindemann, MTG president and CEO
A preliminary accounting and non-cash gain of approximately 40m krona will be reported as a non-recurring item in MTG’s Q4 and full year 2015 results as a result of these transactions announced today. The effects of the CTC Media transactions are separately reported in the “discontinued operations” lines of MTG’s accounts.
26 October 2015
AIB Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented to Larry King
Television legend and news icon Larry King is to be honoured with the presentation of the inaugural Association for International Broadcasting Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Award will be presented on 4 November 2015 during the 11th AIBs, the annual awards for factual television, radio and online productions at LSO St Luke’s in London.
Throughout his career King has interviewed the most prominent newsmakers in politics, as well as hundreds of celebrities and sports men and women. One of the best-known faces on news television in the world, he continues to delight audiences with his inimitable style and is set to return to UK screens with the launch of two shows on RT UK later this month – Larry King Now and Politicking with Larry King, developed specifically for RT.
“Larry King has been one of the most influential people in news television for the past three decades, and in radio for over 50 years,” said Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB. “Larry is known across the world, thanks to his eponymous TV show that ran for 25 years on CNN and that’s now on RT Channel, Ora TV and Hulu. In recognition of his remarkable career on radio and television, and his extraordinary impact on the news industry, the Association for International Broadcasting is honoured to welcome Larry to London to present him with our inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award.”
With his trademark braces (or suspenders, as they are known in North America) making him instantly recognisable everywhere in the world, it is King’s curiosity and compassion that has brought the best from his interviewees, whether president or pop star. He has interviewed every US president since Richard Nixon, world leaders such as Tony Blair, Margaret Thatcher, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Vladimir Putin, and pop stars from Paul McCartney to Lady Gaga.
King holds the world record for the longest-running television show hosted by the same person on the same network and in the same time slot – Larry King Live on CNN. The show launched in June 1985 and ran until December 2010. He’s quoted as saying that he has “never brought my opinions to the show”, as “I never learnt anything while I was talking”. Instead, he coaxes information from his guests through a non-confrontational style that allows them to be centre stage and perhaps reveal more than they might have intended.
King’s career started in radio as a morning DJ in 1957 in Miami Beach on WAHR where he doubled as an afternoon newscaster and sports reporter. In 1978, he began a nationwide night-time show on Mutual Broadcasting System, mixing a single 90-minute interview with a phone-in.
Download the press release here.
Reserve places at this rapidly selling out event at theaibs.tv/the-aibs-2015-awards-dinner-reservations/.
The AIBs 2015 – supported by
22 October 2015
Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I), the world’s leading provider of satellite services, today announced that Intelsat Chief Executive Officer Stephen Spengler was elected to the company’s board of directors, effective 22 October, 2015.
In announcing Mr. Spengler’s appointment, David McGlade, Executive Chairman of the board stated, “Steve is a proven leader with outstanding customer and deep communications industry knowledge and ability. During his tenure at Intelsat, Steve has been instrumental in driving Intelsat’s next generation strategy, and in incorporating satellite, ground and service innovation into Intelsat’s initiatives. We’re pleased to welcome him to the board – where he will continue to contribute to our efforts to build value for all our stakeholders.”
Mr. Spengler is a 30-year telecommunications and satellite industry veteran with experience in the media, broadband, government and internet sectors. He has been a key force behind the development of Intelsat’s next generation of satellite solutions, particularly the company’s high throughput satellite platform, Intelsat EpicNG®.
Spengler joined Intelsat in 2003, and has served in executive roles of increasing responsibility, including Deputy Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Commercial Officer, Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Strategy, and various sales management roles. He joins the Board filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Denis Villafranca.
Mr. Spengler earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and a Masters of Business Administration from Boston University.
Biography and photo of Steve Spengler
21 October 2015
CNBC Africa – the pan-African financial and business news channel – will be syndicating its award-winning multimedia and video clips to Newstag, an innovative ‘mobile-first’ video news service. The multi-year deal grants Newstag the right to share and distribute CNBC’s news videos on its mobile and online platforms alongside current affairs and entertainment content from other professional content producers around the world, including AP, AFP and Reuters.
CNBCAfrica.com Chief Executive, Sid Wahi said: “Newstag is to professional video news what YouTube is to amateur video clips. They are the world’s largest online network based on videos only from trusted sources. CNBC Africa is the largest and most credible source of business content from around the continent with over 35,000 videos, interviews and clips available through its digital publishing channels. This partnership will extend our current reach and enhance our digital ecosystem.”
Newstag’s ‘mobile-first’ service enables users to create their own ‘tagstream’ (or personalised TV channel) in seconds, organising, consuming and sharing stories among their social networks using the latest web and mobile technologies. These stories are available from a number of different perspectives, resulting in a platform that allows converging viewpoints to be presented side by side, shedding new light on international news as it breaks.
Newstag CEO, Henrik Eklund, says: “Newstag is committed to providing global news coverage from truly distinct perspectives and we’re delighted that CNBC Africa has partnered with us to offer our users a refreshing insight into African news through an African lens. It’s a dynamic time for Africa and in less than a decade CNBC Africa has built a solid international reputation for providing credible and impartial news, presenting an exciting picture of a continent in development from nuanced reporting on the ground. We hope that combining these strengths with Newstag’s innovative news model will amplify Africa’s voice, allowing it to reach a large international audience.”
Launched on 1 June 2007, CNBC Africa celebrates its 8th anniversary as Africa’s first and only real-time Pan Africa financial and business news network. Part of the global CNBC family, which reports around the clock from major financial centres worldwide, CNBC Africa covers business and financial markets news from across the continent, telling the story of Africa on the move.
Since the channel’s launch, CNBC Africa has been breaking ground across the African continent and amongst many successes and achievements, is the only pan-African television network to report live each day across Africa. The combined reach of CNBC Africa and its affiliated networks is 390 million viewers around the world. Its reach on the African continent has been growing by the day through its distribution partnership with MultiChoice.
CNBC Africa has grown beyond all expectations since it was launched eight years ago, and everyone on the CNBC Africa team is justifiably proud of the respected media brand that they have all helped to create. Through accurate and incisive reporting and analysis, and an attractive and dynamic programme schedule, CNBC Africa has clearly positioned itself as the premier African news and information resource for CEOs and senior corporate executives, financial houses, investors and aspirational viewers across the continent.
This announcement follows Newstag’s selection as a top international start-up by Mobile World Capital Barcelona in an international contest to recognise the most innovative use of mobile technology in business. In addition to this, Newstag has recently been nominated for ‘best international news site’ by WAN-IFRA alongside Business Week and Singapore Press Holdings.
21 October 2015
In its 30th anniversary year, CNN International’s anchor and correspondent Hala Gorani is to host the AIBs – the eleventh international awards for the best factual television, radio and online productions.
Taking place in London on Wednesday 4 November 2015, the AIBs celebrate the work of producers, editors and journalists from around the world. Entries from over 30 countries have been submitted to this year’s AIBs, and the shortlist includes work from major broadcasters, online video companies, and independent producers.
Hala Gorani is based in London and anchors The World Right Now, with Hala Gorani, which airs every weekday evening. As an accomplished international journalist, Hala frequently goes into the field to report on major breaking news stories. Most recently, she’s been covering the refugee crisis in Europe and the Middle East.
“It’s a great honour to be involved with this year’s AIBs,” said Hala Gorani. “The journalism and productions entered are remarkable, telling stories from around the world. I’m looking forward to meeting the people responsible for getting these important stories to viewers and listeners in so many countries.”
Hala, who was born in Seattle and raised in Paris, has worked for Agence France Press, the La Voix du Nord newspaper, Bloomberg Television and France 3. She speaks English, French and Arabic.
“We’re delighted that Hala Gorani has agreed to present this year’s AIBs, helping not only to celebrate these awards but also the 30th anniversary of CNN International,” said Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the Association for International Broadcasting. “As someone who has worked on the frontline of international journalism, Hala knows exactly what’s involved in telling the most challenging and complex stories in the world. She will bring that knowledge and experience to this year’s awards as we celebrate the world’s best journalism and factual programming.”
The AIBs will be presented in London on 4 November 2015 in front of a truly global gathering of journalists, editors, producers and directors representing countries across four continents.
20 October 2015
SES Platform Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES S.A. (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) and one of Europe’s leading technical media service providers, today announced that its FLUID HUB solution is being utilised by more than 10 broadcasters – just a few months after its launch.
FLUID HUB, which provides a managed cloud service for the management and distribution of video content, was released in April. The FLUID HUB customer base currently includes broadcasters Fox International Channels Germany and Turner, as well as content creators and distributors such as Beta Film. Two customers are already using it to manage and distribute Ultra High Definition (UHD) content – including INSIGHT, the first-ever Ultra HD channel of Television Entertainment Reality Network.
“To have so many customers choosing the solution so soon after launch and for UHD content reinforces how vital the service is to the broadcasting market,” said Sophie Lersch, Chief Product Officer for Services at SES Platform Services. “The feedback from our customers is very positive, with many of them emphasizing the intuitive interface and easy-to-use workflow,
which enables content delivery via a few simple steps. In regards to UHD content, we are one of the first service providers capable of offering a full workflow chain all the way up to delivery to VOD portals, playout and uplink to our satellites.”
FLUID HUB is a professional, secure, managed cloud environment for efficient and secure video content and metadata management and distribution to any platform, including Video-On- Demand (VOD), streaming and satellite. Currently, SES Platform Services distributes more than 2,000 hours of video content per month to all major VOD portals in central Europe.
SES Platform Services will showcase its range of digital distribution technology at Medientage München at stand C1, Foyer, Basement. The event takes place at International Congress Center München (ICM) in Munich, Germany, from Wednesday, 21 October to Friday, 23 October.
For information on FLUID HUB (http://www.ses-ps.com/21436211/fluid_hub), visit the SES Platform Services website (http://www.ses-ps.com/10546113/en).
