The world's most influential media, entertainment & technology show
13 - 17 September 2019
RAI Amsterdam
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With so much happening over the five days we want to help you plan your schedule to ensure you get maximum value from your visit to IBC2019. We've created a number of personalised journeys to guide you through the show.
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5 Days
55,000+ Attendees
300+ Speakers
100+ Sessions
Broadcaster Mediaset has filed a complaint to Italian watchdog, accusing shareholder Vivendi of leaking information undermining its corporate restructuring plans.
The complaint, which was lodged yesterday to Italian regulator Consbo was described as “unlawful” and claimed to directly damage the Mediaset brand including Mediaset España and its shareholders.
Mediaset have formally requested Vivendi “to take an unequivocal and public position regarding its real intentions.”
In a statement to the press, Mediaset highlighted the “news” previously published by Bloomberg: “Mediaset SpA shareholder Vivendi SA plans to vote against the Italian TV company’s proposal to merge with its Spanish affiliate, according to people familiar with the matter, in a potential setback for the broadcaster’s ambition to create a European alliance.”
According to Mediaset this story was picked up by website Dagospia that stated: “Vivendi has launched a counterattack against Mediaset and will try in every way to block the merger between Mediaset Italia and Mediaset España and the move of the corporate headquarters to the Netherlands, with legal action, at the Shareholders’ Meeting, and by convincing funds to exercise their right to withdraw – claiming that the operation is penalising for all of the company’s shareholders apart from Fininvest”.
Vivendi has denied commenting on the complaint.
The complaint was also sent to Agcom in order to ensure the monitoring of Vivendi’s behaviour by the authority, following the confirmed violation of Art. 43 of TUSMAR, the Italian Broadcasting Act.
Mediaset shares fell 2.7% on Wednesday, to 2.87 euros, after reports were published on Vivendi’s intentions to block the deal.
On Thursday, Mediaset shares were up 0.9% to 2.96 euros.
Vivendi has the power to “derail” Mediaset’s corporate restructuring plans, according to a report by Reuters, if Vivendi withdrew its 29% stake in Mediaset, it would force the Italian firm to spend more than the 180 million euros it has set aside for shareholders who want to liquidate their holdings.
IBC365 reported earlier this week that Vivendi looked set to vote against a Mediaset proposal to create a Dutch holding company which would bring together its European assets, according to reports, Vivendi will vote against the Italian TV company’s plan at an investor meeting set to take place on 4 September.
Mediaset proposed the restructure in June. Mediaset said MFE has been developed with the aim of creating value and development as the “home of a great European broadcaster.”
However, the proposal has been met with further opposition, according to a report from Reuters, which claims ISS has advised Mediaset shareholders to vote it down.
Dolby Laboratories, PIksel, Atomos, Rohde & Schwarz and Make.TV are among the vendors shortlisted for the IBC2019 edition of its BaM Awards hosted by the international trade association for suppliers of broadcast and media technology (IABM).
The BaM Awards recognise innovation in each the nine BaM Content Chain categories, together with a tenth award recognising an outstanding project, event or collaboration.
IABM announced the shortlist has been selected by the judges from another record number of entries: 197.
IABM director strategic insight and chair of the judging panel John Ive said: “Both the huge number and high quality of the entrants to the IBC edition of the BaM Awards shows that innovation continues to drive our industry forward.
“These are the companies that are helping broadcast and media organisations transform into agile content factories fit to win and retain audiences as the competition for eyeballs becomes ever more intense.”
Some, 40 non-affiliated, expert judges are now examining the shortlisted entries ahead of awarding the winner during IBC.
Visits to the stands of shortlisted companies will take place once IBC2019 opens to complete the judging process with the final winners announced at the IABM BaM Awards Party on Saturday 14th September, with drinks and canapes in the IBC Executive Lounge from 6pm, followed by the Awards ceremony in the Forum at 7pm.
The winning entries will automatically be submitted for IABM’s prestigious Peter Wayne Golden BaM Award, with the winner announced at the IABM Annual International Business Conference and Awards in December 2019.
Netflix has signed a deal to rent out 134,000 square-feet in Uxbridge in a push to establish itself in the UK ahead of opening its Shepperton studios base.
The acquisition of UX1 production space will be utilised by Netflix UK according to property sources, which will become the base for the creation of a new drama series.
Netflix announced last month a major expansion within the UK after it signed a multi-million-pound deal to create a production hub at Shepperton Studios outside of London.
According to reports, the Uxbridge deal has involved Netflix signing a one-year sublet for the UX1 space from MBS, a film production real-estate specialist that has taken over a 10-year lease from Aviva Investors.
With the upcoming launch of global streaming services from Apple, Disney and NBC Universal, Netflix is looking to diversify their content offerings and original productions.
Netflix’s production team will relocate to the Shepperton Studios, which is rumoured to have been leased for 10 years, from 1 October this year.
A spokesperson for Netflix said it is “incredibly committed” to investing in UK-based content with plans to create 153 original programmes and collaborate on 221 projects across the continent.
Read more Netflix to open UK production hub at Shepperton Studios
Variety reported the decision by Netflix to set up shop in Shepperton will also have an unwanted ripple effect by putting major pressure on space and skills already in high demand, with the latest figures showing the film and high-end TV spending topping $4 billion a year in Britain.
Read more: CBS and Viacom merge to challenge Disney and Netflix
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