Satellite operator SES Platform Services is to acquire RR Media, a provider of global digital media services to the broadcast and media industries, for $242 million.
RR Media provides digital media services to more than 1,000 media companies globally, and has delivered sports and live events including the Super Bowl and the FIFA World Cup. RR Media services media companies, broadcasters and content rights owners holders including the BBC, Disney, Fox, IMG, ITV, MP Silva, NFL, and Viacom.
RR Media and SES PS will be combined to create a new, stand-alone media services provider. This will focus on offering its customers optimised content management and distribution solutions that utilise the combined network of SES PS and RR Media leveraging their multiple satellite positions as well as a large fibre network and the internet.
“This is an exciting acquisition and an important milestone in the execution of SES’s differentiated strategy focused on globalisation, verticalisation and dematuring,” said Ferdinand Kayser (pictured), chairman of SES Platform Services. “The addition of RR Media further accelerates the globalisation of SES’s services businesses, establishing a world-leading next generation video and media service provider.”
Avi Cohen, CEO of RR Media added: “SES Platform Services is an important industry player with the capabilities to service strong upper tier clients. With the combined infrastructure and industry expertise, the integrated company will have the capability to deliver innovative solutions to top tier clients, emerging markets and global customers. RR Media’s growth strategy has focused on top tier client and increasing scale. This deal achieves both of these strategic goals.”