iWorld
Samsung TV Plus adds B4U’s blockbuster channels to its Fast lineup
MUMBAI: Samsung TV Plus, India’s top free ad-supported streaming television (Fast) service, has amped up its entertainment play by onboarding four of B4U Network’s most popular channels — B4U Movies, B4U Music, B4U Kadak and B4U Bhojpuri.
The tie-up boosts Samsung TV Plus’s tally to over 125 Fast channels, adding heft to its bid to dominate the connected TV (CTV) landscape. The platform continues to court the country’s digital-first viewers with a curated smorgasbord of films, music, and regional hits — all at zero cost.
“Our mission is to deliver unmatched access and exceptional value to both our audiences and advertisers on the Samsung TV Plus platform. By introducing new Fast Channels from the house of B4U, we aim to enhance access to the latest from the world of entertainment. This collaboration with B4U underscores our dedication to this vision,” said Samsung TV Plus India head of partnerships Kunal Mehta.
B4U, a stalwart in Indian broadcasting with reach across more than 100 countries, brings to the table a rich trove of Hindi cinema, chart-topping music and vibrant regional fare.
“Connected TV (CTV) has emerged as a significant force in the Indian media landscape, revolutionizing how audiences consume content,” said B4U chief revenue officer Johnson Jain.“In line with this, our approach has pivoted on reaching a broader and more diverse audience base. We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Samsung TV Plus, bringing our curated set of channels to their platform. Through this partnership, we aim to engage viewers with high-quality entertainment — featuring top-tier movies and the best in music — delivered seamlessly on a premium CTV experience.”
As the race to capture eyeballs in India’s connected homes intensifies, the Samsung-B4U alliance serves up a potent mix of nostalgia, pop culture and mass appeal — positioning the Fast service as a go-to destination for free, high-quality entertainment.
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.
