iWorld
IPL season 8 fever transcends on to Twitter
MUMBAI: The Indian Premier League mania is reaching a crescendo on social media. The excitement of the eighth season of the tournament continued this week on micro blogging site Twitter with close to 62.7 million live impressions.
Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) fans are roaring on Twitter making them the favourites this week. The team in yellow is closely followed by defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (@KKRiders) and 2013 champions Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan). Given their popularity, the most talked about game this week was Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings.
The top Tweets Per Minute (TPM) moments during the match window for the same period are as follows:
– Kings XI Punjab wins in the super over against Rajasthan
– Royal Challengers Bangalore’s AB de Villiers hits 24 off one over by Lasith Malinga from Mumbai Indians
– AB de Villiers falls for 42 to Kieron Pollard from Mumbai Indians with RCB on 129/6
– Dwayne Smith of Chennai Super Kings brings up his 50 versus Mumbai Indians
– Chennai Super King’s Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Bravo bring up 107 off 7 overs against Mumbai Indians
Ranking of most mentioned IPL teams on Twitter from 16 – 22 April, 2015.
Chennai Super Kings leads the pack closely followed by Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians. Rajasthan Royals are next in the list keenly followed by Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab. Delhi Daredevils and Sunrisers Hyderabad complete the final tally.
Most Retweeted Tweets about the Indian Premier League for the same period is as follows:
#MIvCSK (17 April)
#RCBvMI (19 April)
#RRvKXIP (21 April)
#RRvCSK (19 April)
#DDVSvKKR (20 April)
#KXIPvKKR (18 April)
#SRHvKKR (22 April)
#SRHvRR (16 April)
#SRHvDD (18 April)
Some of the most retweeted moments are given below. KKR’ s Shah Rukh Khan congratulating his boys was the most retweeted.
@iamsrk: Always & Everytime…a mature innings..@GautamGambhir. & my man @iamyusufpathan in the thick of things again. Morne & Umesh deadly. Love KKR –https://twitter.com/iamsrk/status/590212393260621824
@realpreityzinta: OMG ! What a game I’m still shaking SUPER OVER !!! @lionsdenkxip Are u Kidding me Still shaking I swearSo proud #KXIP – https://twitter.com/realpreityzinta/status/590584295535828993
@mohitfreedom: #RRvsCSK Even in these T20 matches, u can’t come close to athleticism of @SauravGhosal Sure to be No1 sometime soon and fly #India’s flag –https://twitter.com/mohitfreedom/status/58975497091376742
With the momentum gathering pace, the game has only begun.
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.
