Copy protection specialist Macrovision is to purchase Gemstar-TV Guide in a cash and stock transaction worth $2.8 billion (€1.92bn). The company says the combined portfolios will enable libraries of commercial and personal protected content to be accessed from a number of devices through intuitive guides. It adds that interoperability barriers currently hold this “simple experience” back.
Gemstar is best known for its guidance technology including many astutely registered EPG patents. It also brings personalisation, recommendations, ad serving, click stream analysis, notifications, device registration, data services and the best selling listings title TV Guide.
Gemstar was put up for sale in July under pressure from News Corp, which holds a 41% stake. Current Macrovision shareholders will own 53% of the combined company.
