iWorld
TVF eyes regional content and new genres in 2020
MUMBAI: After a year of “phenomenal growth”, The Viral Fever (TVF) is looking at 2020 to be more exciting and hectic. While TVF will continue to work with OTT platforms it collaborated with in 2019, it is also open to uploading content on its own app TVFPlay. The premium and one of the early digital content creators of India will also look at regional shows in this year.
“In that way, we are very unique. We are one of the leading content creators. At TVF what we want to be known as the guys who give the best stories, best shows in the country. Where we do it, that’s something we are open to. We are open to collaborating with other OTTs, we are open to putting it on our own app,” TVF Originals chief content officer and head Sameer Saxena said talking about how they want to build TVF’s identity going forward.
“We are actually looking at regional shows in 2020. We are working on Marathi shows. We want to line up shows in Tamil and Telugu too. In 2020, we will get into regional space and we will later expand into other languages,” Saxena commented.
In 2019, the platform has produced shows for major OTT platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, SonyLIV, MX Player, etc. According to Saxena, the deals have worked in favour of brand TVF. He said the alliances have helped them to increase reach because all these platforms have their own set of audience. Hence, working with them opens up the opportunity to reach them. The platform is also looking at expanding these numbers.
The company produced Immature on MX Player, Tripling season 2 and Gullak for SonyLIV. Kota Factory was another hit from the creator which went on TVFPlay and YouTube. Saxena noted that they want to continue short-form content and branded content pieces for TVFPlay. They are concentrating on short form for TVFPlay which they are not doing for any other OTT platform.
“We will continue to work with brands; we will do short-form content. These channels can be a learning stage for new writers,” he added on TVFPlay.
“Overall content strategy for TVF would be to make more shows, make shows in different genres, languages. We are exploring supernatural and horror amongst others,” he commented.
Talking about noticeable changes in the OTT ecosystem, Saxena said that more players have come in and different types of stories are being told across platforms. He also added that new types of stories are getting accepted too. Saxena perceives it as a great sign as going forward TVF also wants to tell different stories.
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.
