MAM
Uefa finalises wireless rights deals for Champions League
LONDON: Uefa has announced that the first deals have been concluded in its sale of wireless rights for the Uefa Champions League seasons 2003-2006.
An official release informs that the rights have been awarded in Italy to 3 who will become the exclusive Official Uefa Champions League Mobile Operator in Italy. Vodafone has been awarded the rights on an exclusive basis in Spain, Greece, Hungary, Malta and Egypt. It also got non-exclusive rights in the UK, Germany, France, Holland, Portugal, Ireland and Switzerland.
Both Vodafone and 3 will bring the Uefa Champions League to their subscribers on mobile devices with a near-live and a post-match highlights service. Additionally a wealth of statistics and data will be made available to keep football fans informed at all times. Uefa’s extensive video archive of the last eleven seasons will also be made available for customers to revisit the great moments of the competition.
Uefa chief executive Gerhard Aigner said, “I am delighted to announce these first ever wireless rights deals for the Uefa Champions League. This is a great technological advancement and will bring the Uefa Champions League even closer to football fans around Europe. Alongside the traditional forms of communication, the new wireless rights ensure that the best club competition in the world will be available to fans at any time, via their mobile phone, wherever they may be.”
Brands
Magnum Ice Cream Netherlands takes control of Kwality Wall’s India from Unilever
61.9 per cent stake transfer reshapes ownership as Unilever exits promoter role
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited has entered a new chapter, with The Magnum Ice Cream Company HoldCo 1 Netherlands B.V. acquiring a controlling 61.9 per cent stake from a clutch of Unilever PLC-led entities, marking a significant shift in ownership.
The transaction, completed on March 30, 2026, follows a share purchase agreement signed in June 2025. The incoming promoter picked up over 145 crore equity shares, effectively taking control of the company and being formally classified as its new promoter under regulatory norms.
As part of the deal, the outgoing promoter group, including Unilever Group Limited and its affiliated entities, has fully exited its shareholding in the company. They have now been reclassified from promoter to public shareholders, closing a long-standing association with the ice cream business in India.
The board of Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited took note of the ownership change and approved a series of leadership updates alongside it. Ritesh Tiwari stepped down as director, while Abhijit Bhattacharya was appointed as chairperson and additional non-executive director. Tahir Toloy Tanridagli also joined the board as an additional non-executive director.
The reshuffle signals a broader strategic reset as the Magnum-led entity looks to steer the brand’s next phase of growth in India. The transition has been carried out in line with regulatory requirements, including disclosures tied to the open offer and reclassification norms under market regulations.
With Unilever stepping back and Magnum stepping in, Kwality Wall’s India is effectively getting a fresh scoop of leadership and direction. The coming months will reveal how the new promoter plans to scale the brand in one of the world’s most competitive ice cream markets.
