Latest news with #DanaStrong
Times
05-07-2025
- Business
- Times
Call centre closures rack up costs for Sky
Sky's plans to axe three customer call centres will cost the broadcaster as much as £35 million, accounts filed by the broadcast giant show. The former FTSE 100 company, owned by US conglomerate Comcast since 2018, has also registered a new impairment charges in UK filings on its interest in on SkyShowtime, a lossmaking European streaming service that is a joint venture with America's Paramount. Led by chief executive Dana Strong, Sky's financial performance has become harder to gauge since it was swallowed up into Comcast. Its revenues and profits are reported through numerous companies in the UK. Accounts for six of them, filed last month, show a drop in operating profits of 20 per cent to £352 million, in part because of falling advertising revenues and investments in building Sky's mobile and broadband products. Sky said that revenues at its main businesses grew from £11.1 billion to £11.2 billion, although this does not account for all of its group turnover. It said that its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) were broadly flat at £1.2 billion. Comcast acquired Sky for $39 billion in 2018. Four years later, Comcast had to write down Sky's value by $8.6 billion. Further, smaller writedowns have been made since then. Last year's accounts showed that Sky had written down the value of its international operations, which include Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia, by £1.2 billion; while a £327 million impairment charge was registered against Showtime. In 2024, a further £245 million was written off the value of Showtime. Last month the company announced the sale of its German arm to RTL Group for an initial €150 million. And the accounts showed a further estimated cost of £30 million-£35 million for closing three of its ten customer service centres. This move, announced in March, put 2,000 jobs at risk. Sky Group's chief financial officer Simon Robson said the company had 'delivered strong financial results during a year of meaningful strategic progress', which included on-screen success for Sky Originals and the launch of the Sky Mobile network in Ireland and Italy.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RTL to buy Sky Deutschland for €150mn in TV consolidation effort
RTL has agreed to buy Comcast's Sky Deutschland for €150 million as the media conglomerate seeks to stave off competition from US streaming platforms. On top of the €150mn upfront cost, the group may pay a further €377mn if RTL's share price rises above €41 apiece five years after the deal's close. RTL said that the acquisition, if approved by regulators, would allow it to become the third-biggest provider of streaming services in Germany after Netflix and Amazon Prime. The deal is expected to close next year. Comcast, Sky's parent firm since 2018, has been looking to sell Sky Deutschland for several years. The German subsidiary has never made a profit but it is expected to break even this year. The firm has notably been struggling as competition from streaming services heats up. However, Sky won a significant deal to exclusively show most Bundesliga football matches last year, through to the end of the 2028-29 season, boosting its attractiveness. 'The business is on track to achieve EBITDA break-even, reflecting the success of our turnaround plan. Combining the strength of our brand with RTL builds on that momentum and opens up even greater opportunities,' Dana Strong, Group CEO at Sky, said in a statement. Related Warner Bros. Discovery to split, dividing TV and streaming services Netflix and France's TF1 join forces as traditional TV struggles Thomas Rabe, CEO of RTL, noted: 'the synergies are estimated to be around €250mn per annum within three years after closing, creating significant shareholder value'. Combined, the groups will have around 11.5mn subscribers. Under the terms of the deal, RTL will have the right to use the Sky brand in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and South Tyrol. RTL has been looking to secure new revenue streams through premium subscriptions, as it operates several television and radio stations that are free to air. The decision to buy Sky Deutschland is the biggest deal it has struck since it was formed in 2000. In 2023, RTL had its eyes on another consolidation project, bidding to acquire Dutch media conglomerate Talpa Network. Competition authorities said the merged group would be too dominant in the Netherlands. RTL then proposed to sell its Dutch subsidiary RTL Nederland to Belgium-based DPG Media, although regulators have yet to give the green light. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Euronews
27-06-2025
- Business
- Euronews
RTL to buy Sky Deutschland for €150mn in TV consolidation effort
RTL has agreed to buy Comcast's Sky Deutschland for €150 million as the media conglomerate seeks to stave off competition from US streaming platforms. On top of the €150mn upfront cost, the group may pay a further €377mn if RTL's share price rises above €41 apiece five years after the deal's close. RTL said that the acquisition, if approved by regulators, would allow it to become the third-biggest provider of streaming services in Germany after Netflix and Amazon Prime. The deal is expected to close next year. Comcast, Sky's parent firm since 2018, has been looking to sell Sky Deutschland for several years. The German subsidiary has never made a profit but it is expected to break even this year. The firm has notably been struggling as competition from streaming services heats up. However, Sky won a significant deal to exclusively show most Bundesliga football matches last year, through to the end of the 2028-29 season, boosting its attractiveness. 'The business is on track to achieve EBITDA break-even, reflecting the success of our turnaround plan. Combining the strength of our brand with RTL builds on that momentum and opens up even greater opportunities,' Dana Strong, Group CEO at Sky, said in a statement. Thomas Rabe, CEO of RTL, noted: 'the synergies are estimated to be around €250mn per annum within three years after closing, creating significant shareholder value'. Combined, the groups will have around 11.5mn subscribers. Under the terms of the deal, RTL will have the right to use the Sky brand in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and South Tyrol. RTL has been looking to secure new revenue streams through premium subscriptions, as it operates several television and radio stations that are free to air. The decision to buy Sky Deutschland is the biggest deal it has struck since it was formed in 2000. In 2023, RTL had its eyes on another consolidation project, bidding to acquire Dutch media conglomerate Talpa Network. Competition authorities said the merged group would be too dominant in the Netherlands. RTL then proposed to sell its Dutch subsidiary RTL Nederland to Belgium-based DPG Media, although regulators have yet to give the green light.
The Sun
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
EFL to televise Saturday 3pm matches as TV blackout loophole is found after 65 years
SKY SPORTS will broadcast every EFL kickoff on the opening weekend - including matches starting at 3pm. This year's EFL schedule sees League One and League Two kicking off on August 1. 1 The Championship will begin seven days later on August 7, with the Premier League starting a week after on August 14. Under Uefa's article 48, the 3pm blackout applies when 50 per cent of games in the top two divisions kick off at 3pm on a Saturday. It has been in force since 1960 and is designed to protect attendances at lower league clubs. Due to the staggered start of the EFL season, Sky can take advantage of the 50 per cent loophole. Every 3pm match from League One and Two on the opening weekend will be shown live on the platform. On the second weekend, five games from the two divisions will be televised as the Championship kicks off. The EFL will release this season's fixture list on Thursday at midday. While Sky are set to announce every game moved for TV coverage by July 3. The broadcaster wants to give fans adequate time to prepare for any scheduling changes. Every TV match up until the FA Cup third round in early January will be confirmed by that date. Sky Sports is also increasing its Premier League live offering from 128 to 215 matches. 52 top-flight fixtures will also be shown exclusively on TNT Sports. All non-3pm Saturday Premier League games will be televised live for the first time next season. It will see up to seven Prem matches available each weekend. Dana Strong, Group CEO, Sky said: "This is a fantastic result for Sky customers, who will see a significant increase in the number of matches from the most iconic league in the world. "Sky is the undisputed home for sport fans in the UK."
Scottish Sun
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
EFL to televise Saturday 3pm matches as TV blackout loophole is found after 65 years
The Premier League are preparing to show a record amunt of games THREESY DOES IT EFL to televise Saturday 3pm matches as TV blackout loophole is found after 65 years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SKY SPORTS will broadcast every EFL kickoff on the opening weekend - including matches starting at 3pm. This year's EFL schedule sees League One and League Two kicking off on August 1. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Every EFL match - including those at 3pm - will be available to watch on TV on the opening weekend Credit: Rex The Championship will begin seven days later on August 7, with the Premier League starting a week after on August 14. Under Uefa's article 48, the 3pm blackout applies when 50 per cent of games in the top two divisions kick off at 3pm on a Saturday. It has been in force since 1960 and is designed to protect attendances at lower league clubs. Due to the staggered start of the EFL season, Sky can take advantage of the 50 per cent loophole. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL THAT'S WRIGHT Madelene Wright puts on busty display in lacy lingerie that wows fans Every 3pm match from League One and Two on the opening weekend will be shown live on the platform. On the second weekend, five games from the two divisions will be televised as the Championship kicks off. The EFL will release this season's fixture list on Thursday at midday. While Sky are set to announce every game moved for TV coverage by July 3. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The broadcaster wants to give fans adequate time to prepare for any scheduling changes. Every TV match up until the FA Cup third round in early January will be confirmed by that date. Abandoned EFL stadium left to rot with pitch covered in weeds just five years after hosting final match Sky Sports is also increasing its Premier League live offering from 128 to 215 matches. 52 top-flight fixtures will also be shown exclusively on TNT Sports. All non-3pm Saturday Premier League games will be televised live for the first time next season. It will see up to seven Prem matches available each weekend. Dana Strong, Group CEO, Sky said: "This is a fantastic result for Sky customers, who will see a significant increase in the number of matches from the most iconic league in the world. "Sky is the undisputed home for sport fans in the UK."
