M&A Volume Down In First Half of '08

July 9 - Media Daily News - The volume of media industry mergers and acquisitions fell sharply in the first half of 2008 compared to previous years, according to the Jordan Edmiston Group, which advises investors and helps broker deals involving media properties. Between the first half of 2007 and the same period in 2008, the total dollar value of deals tracked by JEG fell 65%, from almost $65.8 billion to just under $23.2 billion. Read More.

Private equity pours into Indian media sector

July 4 - TelevisionPoint.com (India) - Do you know that 55% stake in INX Media is held by Temasek Holdings, New Silk Route Partners, New Vernon Private Equity Fund and Employee sweat equity.

Do you also know that the shareholding pattern of NDTV Networks includes Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs, CSFB and eight others, who jointly hold as much as 24% stake in it.

The Indian Media and Entertainment sector has never been a hot cake among PE investors. But of PE firms are showing great interest in the sector. Blackstone's 26% stake in Ushodaya Enterprise for $ 146 million, Chrys Capital's 27% stake in Hathway cable for $ 120 million, Shyam Equities' 20% stake in Independent News Service, holding company of India TV for $ 25 million are few examples. Read More.

Media M&A deal value declines 65% in first half

July 1 - BtoB Marketing - Total deal value for M&A media transactions plunged to $23.2 billion in the first half, down 64.7% from $65.8 billion in the first half of 2007, according to Jordan Edmiston Group.

However, despite economic pressures, deal activity actually increased in the first half, with 404 M&A media transactions completed during the period, compared with 397 in the first half of last year.

The largest decline was seen in deals valued at more than $1 billion, with only four transactions with a combined value of $9.6 billion completed in the first half, down from 11 deals worth a combined $46.3 billion in the first half of last year. Read More.