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Vidnet 2019 to discuss OTT ecosystem, conduct masterclasses with leading industry names
MUMBAI: The over-the-top (OTT) ecosystem in India has evolved rapidly in the last two-three years attracting large international players along with the growth of home-grown ones. Amid the OTT buzz in the media and entertainment industry, Indiantelevision.com is again ready to host a conference bringing all the experts from the booming industry together. The conference on 3 October will turn into the stage of dynamic discussions on wide-ranging topics while the Masterclasses will give answers to many enthusiasts on the creative process on 4 October.
The ecosystem currently consists of more than 30 over-the-top players and each of them is trying to gain a stronger foothold by investing more into original content. More importantly, the new platforms have widened the opportunities for local content creators as well as the international video streaming services have globalised local stories. Keeping on track with the pressing issues of the market, the conference will focus on these topics broadly – fine-tuning monetisation, the challenge of content protection, consumer engagement and telecom deals.
Red Chillies Entertainment chief revenue officer Gaurav Verma , House of Cheer founder and CEO Raj Nayak, The Linus Adventures founder and chief evangelist Sunil Lulla, Balaji Telefilms group COO and ALTBalaji CEO Nachiket Pantvaidya, ZEE5 GLOBAL chief business officer Archana Anand among other industry veterans will talk on the mentioned topics.
In addition to the conference, Indiantelevision.com, with the aim of facilitating this creative process and giving the budding as well as established creators a chance to learn from the best in the industry, is organising masterclasses on 4 October for writers, directors, and editors at the upcoming edition of its VidNet 2019.
Delhi Crime director and creator Richie Mehta, Kota Factory director Raghav Subbu, Ghoul and Liela director Patric Graham, Sacred Games writers Nitin Bhave and Dhruv Narang , Rangbaaz Writer Siddharth Mishra along with other experts will take the masterclasses which will be divided into two sections: one for writers and the other for directors and editors.
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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.
