iWorld
SonyLIV partners Fabform Mediaworks for curated comic content
MUMBAI: Consumption of content on-the-go has shown an upward trend. People across the country are scouting for content which entertains as well as evokes thought. To keep up with the trend and the demands of the viewer, SonyLIV has associated with Fabform Mediaworks.
This association gives SonyLIV users access to all the comic content curated by Fabform Mediaworks. With this, the platform will now have five more interesting shows for its viewers to consume. The shows range from Vlogs on beauty to peeks into celebrity lives, from career choices and lives of modern women to reality shows on love and relationships.
SonyLIV EVP and head-digital business Uday Sodhi said, “Videos from Fabform Mediaworks are extremely popular among the youth due to their engaging content. Through this partnership, we are looking at exploring different genres and staying true to SonyLIV’s constant endeavour to enhance viewer experience by delivering top-notch content.”
The first show that premieres on the platform is House of Connections. This show is a reality show about finding that one special connection with whom the celebrity contestant can strike a chord instantly. This show will bring to screen faces like Pearl Puri, Pooja Banerjee and Pooja Mishra.
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.
