iWorld
Amazon Prime to show Asahi’s anime content
MUMBAI – November 24, 2016 – Amazon today announced its alliance with Japan-based TV Asahi Corporation which will make Amazon Prime Video India the exclusive subscription streaming home for some of TV Asahi’s all-time favorite kids toons – Doraemon, Shin chan, and Ninja Hattori. Available together in the territory for the first time ever on a video streaming platform, Doraemon, Shin Chan, and Ninja Hattori will be exclusive to Amazon Prime members in India with new episodes refreshed regularly.
“Amazon Prime Video in India aims to be home to a diverse mix of beloved kids’ content and be the preferred entertainment choice for kids in India.” said Nitesh Kripalani, Director and Country Head, Amazon Prime Video India. “The popularity of Japanese anime has grown immensely and TV Asahi Corporation is one of Japan’s leading private broadcasters who we already have a content licensing agreement with in Japan. We are thrilled to extend this relationship to India as well to bring this fantastic content to our kids.”
“We are excited about some of our best contents are going to be available on Amazon Prime Video. We hope the digital experience would take our contents to the next level of the popularity in India” said Takahiro Kishimoto, Head of Animation at International Business Department, TV Asahi Corporation.
Doraemon is a popular Japanese manga series, created by Fujiko F. Fujio. The series has also been adapted into a successful anime series and media franchise. The story revolves around a robotic time-traveling cat named Doraemon, who travels back in time from the 22nd century to aid a pre-teen boy named Nobita Nobi.
Shin chan, is a Japanese manga series created by Yoshito Usui. It follows the adventures of the five-year-old Shinnosuke “Shin” Nohara and his parents, baby sister, dog, neighbours, and friends and is set in Kasukabe, Saitama Prefecture. An anime adaptation of the series began airing on TV Asahi in 1992 and remains on air till this day.
Ninja Hattori is a manga series created by Fujiko Fujio A, later adapted into a television drama, an anime series, a video game and a live-action movie. The comedy actions animated series was aired on TV Asahi in the 80’s and all new episodes of the series has been produced since 2012 and is currently on air in several Asian countries.
Chimpui is a Japanese television series created by Fujiko F. Fujio in 1985. It tells the story of a young girl named Eri and two cute aliens that come to Earth to find her to be the most precious girl to marry with their beloved prince of the planet Mal.
iWorld
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
