Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The only way might be Sony

Monday 02 May 2011 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The television arm of Sony, the Japanese electronics giant, is mulling a takeover bid of more than £600m for All3Media, the production company behind The Only Way Is Essex.

Sony Pictures Television is considering a bid to ramp up its UK production presence but it could face competition for All3Media from others, including Time Warner and NBCUniversal, controlled by Comcast.

All3Media, which is owned by the private equity firm Permira and also produces Midsomer Murders, is poised to kick off a sale process after hiring UBS, the investment bank, to conduct a strategic review.

Permira is believed to want no less than £750m for All3Media. This would represent 12 times the UK production company's forecast underlying earnings of between £63m and £65m for 2011.

Sony did not return calls, while Permira declined to comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in