The Press Association has acquired 95 per cent of EPG and VoD metadata company EBS.
PA has bought the shares with the option to acquire the remaining five per cent.
EBS will continue to be led by managing director Keith Bedford, who will work with PA’s chief operating officer Andrew Dowsett.
PA says the acquisition is the latest development in a long-term strategy to diversify the company’s business and consolidate its position as the UK’s leading provider of cross-platform news, sport and entertainment data, content and services.
A priority for the combined businesses will be to continue to build on their extensive portfolio of TV metadata clients which currently includes BBC Studios, BT, Discovery Networks and ITV.
Andrew Dowsett said: “By coming together with EBS, we are creating a compelling and dynamic centralised metadata hub. EBS has established itself as a leading player in metadata distribution for TV channels. Its unique Pawa solution, coupled with their relationships with some of the largest commercial broadcasters in the world, perfectly complement PA’s market-leading editorial listings service for newspapers, digital media and TV platforms.”
Keith Bedford added: “The PA Group is a perfect fit for us and I am delighted to be joining forces with this world-renowned brand. EBS has experienced rapid growth in recent years, offering effective and innovative TV metadata management, enhancement and distribution services to a growing roster of global clients. By joining PA Group, we can continue to develop bespoke and effective solutions for existing and future clients with the backing of an organisation with 150 years of experience in the media industry. We look forward to working with PA to develop our shared vision of providing customers around the world with the best TV metadata service.”