August 2008

Done Deals

PE / VC Fund Investments

Real Image to raise $16-M from Nomura

Real Image Technologies, a Chennai, TN-based digital media technology firm, is to raise $16 million from Nomura Holdings. Established in 1986, Real Image specializes in digital media technology for the film, video, audio and animation industry worldwide.

For more information:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/rssarticleshow/3316057.cms

http://www.real-image.com

Editor’s Note: Real Image had raised funds earlier from Intel Capital.

Deutsche Telekom to acquire stake in Devas for $75-M

Devas Multimedia Pvt. Ltd., a Bangalore, KA-based provider of satellite-based multimedia software services for mobile phones, is to divest a 17% stake to Germany-based Deutsche Telekom for $75 million, reports Economic Times. Devas is a niche satellite-based multimedia services company with plans to deliver content via a hybrid satellite-terrestrial network to mobile devices.

Existing investors in Devas include Columbia Capital and Telecom Ventures, which had jointly acquired an over 49% stake in 2006.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3349615.cms

Apalya Technologies raises $0.5 M from Mumbai Angels

Hyderabad, AP-based mobile VAS firm Apalya Technologies Pvt. Ltd. has raised $500,000 (Rs. 2 crore) from Mumbai Angels, media reports indicate. Apalya, founded in 2005 by Vamshi Reddy and Shiva Bayyapunedi, aggregates premium entertainment content from various content providers, and then optimizes the content to make it suitable for small-screen or mobile viewing.

For more information:

http://www.contentsutra.com/entry/419-mumbai-angels-invests-500k-in-mobile-tv-outfit-apalya/

http://www.apalya.com

Mergers & Acquisitions (Outbound)

UTV Interactive acquires US firm True Games

Mumbai, MH-based listed entertainment firm UTV Software Communications has acquired an 80% stake in US-based online game publishing firm True Games Interactive for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition has been executed through the group's gaming arm, UTV Interactive.

http://bseindia.com/xml-data/corpfiling/announcement/UTV_Software_Communications_Ltd_180808.pdf

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Deals in the Making

Private Equity / Strategic Investments

PE firms looking to buy out Star TV from Balaji Telefilms

A clutch of PE firms including New Silk Route, 4i and Kotak PE are looking to acquire Star TV’s nearly 26% stake in Mumbai, MH-based listed entertainment firm Balaji Telefilms, reports Economic Times. Others looking for the stake are R-ADAG and Eros International.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3395204.cms

Companies, PE firms scouting for stakes in ICL teams

Several corporates and PE funds such as Vedanta Resources, ICICI Ventures, DLF and Future Group are in talks with the Subhash Chandra-promoted Indian Cricket League (ICL) for an equity alliance, reports Economic Times. ICL is in the process of converting its eight teams into eight different companies and these firms are eyeing minority equity in these teams. Some deals are likely to be concluded before the third season of the ICL in October.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/rssarticleshow/3386970.cms

UTV in talks to acquire stake in entertainment firm SET

Mumbai, MH-based entertainment firm UTV, along with US-based Disney, is in discussions with Sony Pictures Entertainment to acquire the 32% stake of minority Indian shareholders in Multi Screen Media (formerly Sony Entertainment Television - SET), reports Economic Times. The minority shareholders had earlier reached an agreement to sell their stake to the BK Modi Group.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/rssarticleshow/3308229.cms

Balaji Telefilms to rope in investors to buy out Star TV stake

Mumbai, MH-based listed TV content firm Balaji Telefilms Ltd. is in talks with a consortium of investors to buy the nearly 26% stake held by Dubai-based Asian Broadcasting, part of Star TV, media reports indicate. Post deal, Balaji will launch a joint venture company with these investors to launch a bouquet of regional television channels.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/rssarticleshow/3327426.cms

News Corp scouting for stake in Saam TV

Australian media group News Corp. is looking to acquire a 20-26% stake in the Sakaal Group’s upcoming Marathi news channel Saam TV, slated for launch on August 15, reports Business Standard. This is a part of the group’s proposal to invest around $100 million in six regional channels in India within a year.

http://business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=330517

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Mergers & Acquisitions

UTV to acquire US mobile content firm for $75-M

Mumbai, MH-based listed entertainment firm UTV Software Communications is to acquire a 51% stake in an unnamed US-based mobile content firm for $75, reports PTI.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/rssarticleshow/3303008.cms

STAR TV may acquire Asianet: report

STAR Television is close to acquiring a majority stake in Rajeev Chandrasekhar-led Asianet Entertainment, reports Economic Times. Asianet operates general entertainment channels across three southern languages - Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada. The report estimates the valuation of Asianet Entertainment at about Rs. 300-350 crore.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3326221.cms

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