Active trading in Eutelsat shares has fuelled speculation that the satellite operator could be heading towards a multibillion Euro merger with telecommunications and broadcast infrastructure group TDF.
According to the French financial magazine Challenges, la Caisse des dépôts et consignations (CDC), which holds 26% in Eutelsat and another 24% in TDF, believes a combined entity would have benefits to both companies.
“The new entity, which would hold a key position in the sector of broadcasting and telecommunications, would be worth around €8 billion, based on global sales of about €1.4 billion,” explains the magazine.
However, in order to achieve its aim CDC would first have to convince the Spanish operator Albertis, which holds 32% in Eutelsat, and the American TPG, which has a 42% stake in TDF to go along with the project.
Shares in Eutelsat rose 1.7% on Monday after heavy trading in the stock.
About Julian Clover
"In an industry that experiences rapid change and often a confusing subsequent
constant supply of news, it is often refreshing to read an insightful perspective. Broadband
TV News and its editorial team regularly provide a context and
helpful analysis to breaking news.”
Broadband TV News is the must-read publication for those working in the Business of the Multiscreen Television. We deliver news, insight and data direct to your desktop. As well as our constantly updated website you can sign-up to our Daily and Weekly email bulletins. 
Connected TV Forecasts NEW REPORT. The number of TV sets connected to the Internet will reach 551 million by 2016 for the 40 countries covered in this report from Digital TV Research, up from 124 million at end-2010. The report states that this translates to 20% of global TV sets by 2016, up from only 6% at end-2010. Published in November 2011, this 83-page PDF report is the most geographically comprehensive to ever be published.