MAM
Viacom to acquire 75.8 per cent of German music channel Viva Media
MUMBAI: Global media giant Viacom that owns MTV has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Viva Media, its only German music television rival.
The estimated $373 million deal will be Viacom’s largest outside the United States.
Making the announcements in Frankfurt, Viacom co-president and co-chief operating officer Tom Freston said: “The acquisition of Viva is a significant strategic initiative that would dramatically expand our position in Germany — the biggest multi-channel TV ad market internationally and a key driver of MTV’s European growth plans. In bringing together MTV and Viva as one family, our local management will create a more diverse and exciting programme offer for German TV audiences, while also tapping into the unique advantages of being part of our global network.”
A group of 14 shareholders including Vivendi Universal and Time Warner have reportedly agreed to sell a 75.8 percent stake in Viva for E12.65 a share.
It is expected that MTV Networks Central Europe’s managing director Catherine Muhlemann and Viva chief executive officer Dieter Gorny will be responsible for running the combined companies. Both will report to MTV Networks Europe’s president and chief executive officer Brent Hansen.
Detailed plans for the combined businesses’ management and structure will be developed by an integration committee that will include representatives from MTV and Viva, says a press release.
The Viva acquisition comes a month after MTV head Tom Freston was named co-president of Viacom with Leslie Moonves after the departure of Mel Karmazin. MTV operates music channels in countries including France, India and Poland. Viva operates two music TV channels in Germany and owns 51 percent of its Viva Plus TV channel, with the rest held by Time Warner, which has agreed to sell the stake to Viacom.
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
