GECs
Thomson forays into IPTV with TBM acquisition
MUMBAI: French electronic vendor Thomson has announced an agreement to acquire the Thales Broadcast & Multimedia (TBM) business unit, which provides IPTV services (TV services over Internet Protocol), video-on-demand, mobile TV, and designs digital TV and radio broadcasting systems and equipment.
The purchase price for TBM in cash is approximately EUR 130 million, based on a normalized level of working capital requirement and no net financial indebtness. Total TBM sales for the twelve months to 30 June 2005, were EUR134.9 million, and the unit was profitable.
Taking into account the synergies, the purchase will have a neutral impact on core business earnings in the first year and be accretive thereafter. Overall, the business meets Thomson’s acquisition criteria, states an official release.
Together with the announcement earlier this month that Thomson intends to acquire Canopus Co, Ltd, a Japan-based leader in high-definition desktop video-editing software, the transaction announced today completes Thomson’s external initiatives linked to its Grass Valley Broadcast & Networks business.
This agreement with Thales supports key elements of the plan, which identifies electronic content distribution and the acceleration of the delivery of IP-based technologies as key growth drivers. The agreement also fits Thomson’s strategic objective of broadening its client base.
In addition, the expected integration of TBM into Thomson will bring significant synergies in terms of technologies, customers, and operations. TBM’s offerings combined with Thomson’s systems and equipment, along with it’s worldwide sales and marketing assets, will create sizeable cross-selling opportunities and foster strong relationships with common media and entertainment customers.
Through this agreement, Thomson will be able to provide cellular operators with a complete set of mobile TV solutions, from content creation to delivery-but using terrestrial television technologies that are more suited for video than cellular infrastructures.
The acquisition of TBM also puts Thomson at the center of the IPTV market, enabling it to offer everything from the software and distribution infrastructure that deliver live programming and VOD services to the set-top boxes through which users access that content.
In terms of terrestrial transmission systems and technology, TBM enjoys significant market share worldwide. With a broader range of products, Thomson will also be able to address the short-term opportunities created by the switch-off of analog TV in several major countries, which will boost demand for extension of digital terrestrial transmission (DTT), and associated transmitters, head-end equipment, and set-top-boxes.
TBM also provides data servers and advanced compression schemes for interactive applications and broadcast content regionalization such as ad and logo insertions.
IPTV services are expected to increase at a brisk pace in the coming years. Today, broadband services are available to more than 100 million households worldwide. Many of the world’s telecommunications providers are exploring IPTV as a new revenue opportunity for their existing markets.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
