Hollywood's bet on German TV market turns sour as Kirch's DF-1 founders

Article Abstract:

Munich, Germany-based Kirch Group's ambitious DF-1 satellite TV project is on the brink of failure and could take a group of Hollywood studios down with it. Walt Disney Co., Paramount Pictures of Viacom Inc., Warner Bros. of Time Warner, Universal Studios of Seagram Co. and Sony Co. are some of the entities that agreed to sell some $4 billion worth of shows and movies to the media titan in 1996. However, future revenues for the companies that received several initial payments only appear to be at risk. DF-1 is suffering from $579 million in start-up losses, poor subscription and a failed merger attempt with a competitor just two years after its launch.

Comment:

Ambitious DF-1 satellite TV project is on the brink of failure and could take a group of Hollywood studios down with it

Services information, Radio & TV Broadcasting, Radio and Television Broadcasting, Broadcasting industry, Broadcasting, Kirch Group

---

Bertelsmann, Canal Plus don't want to sell their Vox stakes to Murdoch

Article Abstract:

Canal Plus SA and Bertelsmann AG refused to divest their shares at Vox, a television channel in Germany, to Rupert Murdoch, who has expressed his desire to boost his present 49.9% stake at Vox to a majority stake at the German television channel. Murdoch, who controls News Corp., plans to boost investments into Vox and seeks to achieve an ambitious restructuring for the German market for television broadcasting. Canal Plus and Bertelsmann, which each control a 24.9% stake at Vox, refused to divest their shares in Vox.

Comment:

Refuses to divest its shares at Vox, a television channel in Germany, to Rupert Murdoch

Asset sales & divestitures, Television Broadcasting, TV Stations, Bertelsmann AG, Canal Plus S.A., Television stations

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Canned foods. The Spanish market for canned food
• Abstracts: Australia's stock market stands out among the crowd. Japan's bond rally continues
• Abstracts: UK leads finance market. Finding the fast track. Boston broadens its appeal
• Abstracts: Gaumont goes Hollywood to win the film game. Coca-Cola may resume sales in Belgium. Tabacalera and Seita to merge in deal valued at 3.08 billion euros
• Abstracts: Belgium is mute on Generale bid despite concerns. Fortis's higher price for Generale won't dent its plans. Fortis remains optimistic in bid for Generale Bank

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.