Media

About

Media is evolving, with new players and technologies changing the way that content is created and distributed, and information being shared at accelerated rates. Media companies come to us for our proven experience in classic broadcast and media, as well as our strong telecoms and technology capabilities. We understand the legal issues in connection with digital media and the convergence between traditional distribution and Internet-based services.

 

Cross-practice strength for your most complex projects

Our clients come to us on issues regarding content distribution, be it via cable, satellite or terrestrial broadcasting, including specific problems with technical platforms.

We provide advice to companies pursuing domestic or cross-border acquisition or sale transactions, spin-offs and other extraordinary transactions.

In the highly regulated arena of cable television and other audiovisual services, and Internet and telephone services, many disputes raise complex regulatory and antitrust issues. In those cases, we seamlessly integrate our deep antitrust and other regulatory experience (e.g., with the European Commission, the Federal Communications Commission or other national regulators) into our litigation strategy.

Our combined regulatory and technological experience positions us well to advise clients on matters relating to Mobile TV and IPTV. In regulatory matters, we provide enterprises and local authorities with full legal advice including licensing, data protection and consumer protection law.

 

Serving media companies worldwide

With a global network and local capabilities, we serve clients effectively around the world. Whether it be film, music, television, gaming, advertising, Internet or social media, we have deep experience addressing the needs of a wide range of media companies.

Clients rely on our deep sector experience–combined with our ability to integrate a team across practices and time zones–to anticipate and overcome their most complex legal challenges.

 

Decades of service to cable companies

Our lawyers have been advising cable service providers for more than 20 years. For example, we have represented one of the largest US service providers–which we continue to represent today–from its days as a regional cable operator to national expansion, as well as in many other jurisdictions, including throughout Europe. We often advise cable providers on the drafting of customer agreements to minimize liability from the threat of consumer class actions.

 

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Experience

The Walt Disney Company and ESPN, Inc.
We represented The Walt Disney Company and ESPN, Inc. in connection with News Corporation's acquisition of ESPN's 50 percent equity interest in ESPN STAR Sports (ESS), a 50/50 joint venture between ESPN and News Corporation Limited.

Sony Corporation of America
We represented Sony Corporation of America in its US$2.2 billion acquisition of EMI Music Publishing with a consortium of acquirers.

EMI Music Publishing Limited and Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
We represented EMI Music Publishing Limited and Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC in their sale of certain music publishing assets to BMG Rights Management GmbH.

Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited
We represented Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited in its acquisition of a 50 percent stake in NOW That's What I Call Music LLP from Virgin Records Limited, and in the ongoing joint venture between Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited and Universal Music Operations Limited in connection with the NOW That's What I Call Music! compilation business.

Sony Entertainment
We represented Sony Entertainment in connection with the sale of US$320 million in receivables of its subsidiary Sony Pictures Television Inc. (SPT) to Culver Receivable Funding I LLC (Culver) and the subsequent sale of such receivables to The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch.

The Walt Disney Company
We represented The Walt Disney Company in the largest public debt offering in its history.

Publicis Groupe SA
We represented Publicis Groupe SA in the acquisition of Interactive Solutions, a leading digital agency in Poland.

Blockbuster LLC
We represented Blockbuster LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation, in connection with the sale of its subsidiary in Mexico, Blockbuster de México, S.A. de C.V., to certain affiliates of Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas.

DISH Network Corporation
We represented DISH Network Corporation in its US$25.5 billion unsolicited proposal to acquire Sprint Nextel Corporation.

HBO Central Europe LLC
We represented HBO Central Europe LLC in its sale of Spektrum-TV Zrt. and Česka programová spol. s.r.o. to Chellomedia Programming BV.

Publicis Groupe
We represented Publicis Groupe, a major French multinational advertising and communications company, in its acquisition of a combination of assets and equity of Emporio Asia, a Chinese digital media company.