The PerfecTV/JSkyB merger...................................
skyreport.com
PerfecTV and JSkyB To Merge Operations This Spring
Jan. 30, 1998
Japan's PerfecTV, the country's first DTH satellite service, will merge with Japan Sky Broadcasting on April 1, according to reports.
The companies are likely to merge on an equal basis, with the eight major shareholders having equal stakes. Those involved include Itochu, Mitsui and Co., Nissho Iwai and Sumitomo, all of which have backed PerfecTV since its launch in fall 1996. Sony, Fuji Television, News Corp. and Softbank are partners in JSkyB.
PerfecTV offers 100 channels to about 500,000 subscribers. JSkyB was scheduled to launch its 100-channel service this spring.
The combined entity will compete against DirecTV Japan, which started a 90-channel service on Dec. 1.
A merger plan will be formally announced in mid February. |
