Winchester: Arqiva sells outside broadcast assets in deal advised by Spectrum Corporate Finance
Reading-based Spectrum Corporate Finance has completed the disposals of certain trade and assets of the Outside Broadcast division (“AOB”) of Arqiva Broadcast Holdings to two separate corporate acquirers - Cloudbass Multimedia and NEP Visions. Winchester-based Arqiva provides television and radio transmission, distribution and media management for the world’s leading broadcasters on multiple global platforms. Its core assets include the UK terrestrial broadcast network together with teleports and media hubs at key locations around the world, comprehensive satellite capacity, multiplexes and international fibre network. Arqiva also provides extensive media services through its playout, studios and mobile broadcasting facilities.
Arqiva Outside Broadcasting was established in March 2006, as a result of Arqiva purchasing NTL Broadcast (including the OB Company “Scanners”) and Shots TV. Both of these companies had decades of experience in outside broadcasts for a wide variety of clients and across many production genres and was acknowledged as a Tier 1 provider by many broadcasters and engineers following a multi-million pound investment in High Definition.
Following a strategic review, Arqiva mandated Spectrum to lead the disposal of its outside broadcasting division. Having analysed the business in depth and ascertaining which areas within the business would be most attractive to certain buyer groups, it was determined that value could be maximised by separately selling certain contracts and assets of AOB to different strategic trade acquirers.
As a result of this assessment of options, offers were accepted from Cloudbass Multimedia for the acquisition of AOB’s residual contracts and supporting broadcasting equipment, and from NEP Visions for the remaining broadcasting assets.
Cloudbass is an owner-managed outside broadcasting services provider established in 2002. This recent acquisition sees it take a key position alongside Arqiva in delivering to a number of key, on-going customers of Arqiva. Funding for the transaction was provided by Aldermore Asset Finance and Fineline Media Finance.
NEP Visions has over 25 years’ experience in covering the world’s premier events. NEP Visions has distinguished itself as one of the leading Outside Broadcast providers in the world, specialising in the latest technological solutions. The NEP Visions fleet is equipped with the latest remote and mobile production options and can be available anywhere in the world; the addition of the AOB assets will enable them to secure key facilities for up-coming events in both Brazil and UK. NEP Visions is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEP Broadcasting Inc.
Resources: Spectrum Corporate Finance website
