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**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
I was just reading about a French company called Vivendi Universal which is buying all the assets of USA Networks for 10.3 Billion. I hope this will turn out to be good for the Sci-Fi Channel. Unfortunately it is too early to know what changes Vivendi will eventually make but I am sure there will be some. Sci-Fi Channel has been(IMHO) somewhat dissappointing but in the past couple of years I feel that Bonnie Hammer has put them on a track that I thought they should have had from the beginning. And given what I have come to expect from the networks in terms of sci-fi programming, I think the Sci-Fi Channel is our last best hope for good, intelligent programs. Vivendi also aquired Universal Studios last year. Below I have attached a release I got the the Vivendi web site
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As a result of this transaction, the companies believe there will be improved content offerings on USA cable networks, which will drive ratings and per-subscriber fees. Also, this is the opportunity to fully monetize Universal franchise content, such as Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas and Erin Brockovich) through improved TV distribution. While immediate revenue synergies are estimated to be approximately about $60 million, these opportunities are expected to represent more than $100 million of additional EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) - approximately $40 million from cost savings, in addition to the new revenue generation. Other cost saving opportunities may arise through information technology and real estate integration.
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>
As a result of this transaction, the companies believe there will be improved content offerings on USA cable networks, which will drive ratings and per-subscriber fees. Also, this is the opportunity to fully monetize Universal franchise content, such as Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas and Erin Brockovich) through improved TV distribution. While immediate revenue synergies are estimated to be approximately about $60 million, these opportunities are expected to represent more than $100 million of additional EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) - approximately $40 million from cost savings, in addition to the new revenue generation. Other cost saving opportunities may arise through information technology and real estate integration.
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