Possible according to following speculation from the Multichannel news.
Starz will undoubtedly serve as a strong programming asset to a larger player – maybe even CBS, which already has premium network Showtime, or Lionsgate, which has a strong TV production arm that has cranked out hits for other networks like Mad Men and Weeds and Orange is the New Black. But the time may not be quite right for the programmer to hang up a For Sale sign.
Pivotal Research Group principal and senior media & communications analyst Jeff Wlodarczak said a $5 billion valuation for Starz is not unacceptable – it works out to about $36 per share, a 10% premium to its Nov. 24 close. But it also assumes that there is a fairly robust auction for the company, which Wlodarczak doesn’t quite see at the moment.
Wlodarczak said in the past AMC Networks was a possible Starz suitor, but its agreement to purchase a 49% interest in BBC America made that less likely. CBS has said in the past that it wasn’t interested in another premium network, but it could change its mind.
multichannel.com
Starz will undoubtedly serve as a strong programming asset to a larger player – maybe even CBS, which already has premium network Showtime, or Lionsgate, which has a strong TV production arm that has cranked out hits for other networks like Mad Men and Weeds and Orange is the New Black. But the time may not be quite right for the programmer to hang up a For Sale sign.
Pivotal Research Group principal and senior media & communications analyst Jeff Wlodarczak said a $5 billion valuation for Starz is not unacceptable – it works out to about $36 per share, a 10% premium to its Nov. 24 close. But it also assumes that there is a fairly robust auction for the company, which Wlodarczak doesn’t quite see at the moment.
Wlodarczak said in the past AMC Networks was a possible Starz suitor, but its agreement to purchase a 49% interest in BBC America made that less likely. CBS has said in the past that it wasn’t interested in another premium network, but it could change its mind.
multichannel.com
