Media corporate finance

The media sector continues to see consolidation and the emergence of strategic partnerships led by advances in content and technology. Media companies are increasingly looking at joint ventures as a means of keeping up with the rate of change in this sector and of sharing the costs and other risks in a highly competitive market. At the same time, some businesses have been strengthening their capital position through the sale of non-core assets.

Our service

We advise listed and unlisted UK and international media clients on the full range of corporate transactions. With expertise and experience ranging from large and complex domestic and crossborder transactions, cutting-edge joint venture projects, through to smaller private company acquisitions and disposals, our approach is proactive and commercial.

Transaction management is tailored to your requirements and we provide a flexible, adaptable service. Our transaction teams are tailored in terms of size, sector focus and geographic focus to ensure the most cost-effective solutions. Our media corporate finance lawyers provide an integrated service, regularly working with other specialist colleagues across the firm with media sector knowledge, in areas including asset financing, IP, tax, regulatory, technology and real estate.

We provide a seamless service taking full account of local issues, both legal and cultural. We can act as lead or local counsel, as appropriate.

Our experience

Our highly regarded media corporate finance practice has a long-standing track record of advising clients within the sector on corporate issues including private equity and venture capital; joint ventures; corporate governance; corporate recovery; management buy-outs and buy-ins; mergers and acquisitions;  restructurings; and equity fundraisings.

Examples of our media corporate finance expertise include:

• Advising a consortium of broadcasters, internet service providers and broadcast infrastructure providers on the Project Canvas IPTV joint venture, now named ’YouView’
• Acting for a national broadcaster for 30 years on numerous acquisitions, disposals, outsourcing and joint venture deals
• Advising on a 10 year corporate joint venture between two media companies, including the acquisition of a pre-school children’s TV channel and the licensing of leading children’s content
• Advising on a joint venture between leading broadcasters on the formation of a shared online and multi-platform on-demand service, through to its sale
• Advising a film company on a $50 million leveraged buy-in and the $100 million refinancing and acquisition of another film company
• Advised a leading publishing house on the acquisition of a group of titles, events and online activities and a recent acquisition of a leading wine magazine business
• Advising the world’s leading creator and distributor of still imagery, footage and multi media products, on a US$165 million acquisition of a London-based company