| |
Auroras and Broadstream
Will Combine to Create Avail Media, a Leading Next Generation Media
Services Company
Other Topics:
Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer,
Hardware Time-Stamping
Auroras Entertainment LLC/Broadstream Communications Inc.
December 14, 2006
Washington, DC -- IPTV and advanced media services companies Auroras
Entertainment, LLC and Broadstream Communications, Inc. have signed
a Letter of Intent to merge following shareholder approval. The name
of the combined entity will be Avail Media, Inc. ("Avail"). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ramu Potarazu,
formerly COO of Intelsat and now CEO of Broadstream, will become CEO
of Avail. Diane Smith, Auroras' CEO, will become President of Avail.
Rounding out the executive team will be Jon Romm - EVP of Sales,
Marketing and Business Development; Steve Bukowski - EVP,
Integration and Operations; Mike Kazmier - EVP, Technology; and Ben
Goux - CFO. Both Broadstream and Auroras will be wholly owned
entities of Avail Media.
Ramu Potarazu, a seasoned veteran of the satellite and technology
industries, explained, "The combined strength of the two companies
is compelling. The advanced media services and IPTV marketplace is
challenging, both technically and operationally. The companies saw
an opportunity to better meet these challenges and deliver a larger
breadth of services to our customers. Auroras' MPEG-4 IPTV solution
has been deployed to telco and FTTH customers nationwide and their
team has developed proprietary technologies that support these new
services. Broadstream has a robust middleware product, along with
strong channel and content partnerships, and a growing customer
pipeline. Both companies have a history of working with programmers
to meet their concerns for quality and security and the combination
of the two companies we feel builds on those strong relationships.
We're excited about working with programmers and our customers to
increase their revenue streams by introducing new network edge and
advanced media services."
Broadstream, headquartered in Bellevue, WA, was founded over three
years ago; its shareholders include Pioneer Ventures and Benaroya
Capital. Auroras, headquartered in Kalispell, MT, also began
operations over three years ago. Among its shareholders is the
Montana communications company, 3 Rivers Communications. Following
the merger, the company will relocate its headquarters to
Washington, DC, and will maintain technology development and sales
offices in Bellevue and Kalispell.
The merger is expected to close early in 2007, commercial services
will launch at that time. The service suite ramp will include
IP-based VOD, PVR, HDTV, and additional local edge capabilities.
Existing customers will see improvements to their service
immediately and new enhancements will be ongoing.
Diane Smith described Auroras' enthusiasm for the deal. "The
synergies were obvious. Auroras had been solely focused on its IPTV
services while Broadstream had begun expanding its focus to the
cable and advanced media marketplace. We recognized that a merger
would allow the combined company to get to market faster and offer a
broader array of services to our customers. We are extraordinarily
impressed with the Broadstream management team and believe that, by
combining the best of both management teams, we'll be better able to
scale and stay focused on the right strategies in an area that's
advancing rapidly."
About Auroras Entertainment, LLC
Auroras Entertainment provides a combination of services and
technologies that enable service providers to deploy entertainment
services to their customers over existing IP networks. The Auroras
solution offers service providers up to a 90% capital expense
reduction over a self-provisioned head-end system. The service
includes Digitization and Transport Rights, wholesale Affiliate
Rights, a complete Video-On-Demand Component, IP Set Top Boxes, and
complete 24/7 on-call and on-site customer support. Additional
information can be found at www.auroras.tv.
About Broadstream Communications, Inc.
Broadstream Communications, Inc. is the leading provider of
managed IPTV network services (IPTV Connect), content management
platforms (Bstream) and affiliate rights and marketing support
services (Media Services). Broadstream operates an all digital (IP)
virtual head-end network and service offering that enables network
operators to provide an efficient, cost-effective video service
product offering over the economics of self-built head-end systems.
Additional information can be found at www.broadstream.com. |
|
Back to Pressroom |
|
