Media
SBCVC invests in listed visual effects business Digital Domain - update
SBCVC and the Hong Kong-listed unit of Chinese conglomerate CITIC Group have agreed to invest as much as HK$368 million ($47 million) investment in Digital Domain, which has interests in media and entertainment.
China's Orient Hontai to buy US mobile marketing platform
Chinese private equity firm Orient Hontai Capital has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in US-based mobile marketing platform provider AppLovin in a transaction valued at $1.4 billion.
Wingate, Sandbar acquire Australia's Medical Channel
Wingate Private Equity and Sandbar Investments have acquired Australian digital media provider Medical Channel.
Deal focus: Yao takes the fight to China
Yao Ming-backed PE firm will grow the reach of kickboxing by emphasizing similarities to Chinese fighting styles
FountainVest raises $2.1b for third China fund
FountainVest Partners has closed its third China-focused fund at the hard cap of $2.1 billion after approximately six months in the market
Taiwan regulator postpones decision on CNS deal
The Taiwan government has declined to approve the acquisition of cable television provider China Network Systems (CNS) by Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) and Far EasTone Telecommunications, asking the National Communications Commission (NCC)...
Ex-NBA star Yao Ming's PE fund seals US kickboxing deal
Yao Capital, an investment firm co-founded by Chinese former NBA star Yao Ming, has invested in Singapore-based kickboxing programmer Glory Sports International. The deal includes a joint venture that will promote the sport in China.
Wanda-lust: Chinese investment in the US movie industry
Jianlin Wang, chairman of Dalian Wanda Group, has set his sights on buying one of Hollywood's six major studios. The rationale is sound but a strategy of incremental acquisitions might work better
Deal focus: IDG, CEL play movie industry long game
In acquiring a controlling stake in Shanghai Film Art Academy, the IDG-Everbright M&A Investment Fund is looking to support the next generation of Chinese filmmakers
Deal focus: Ambit backs digital media transformations
Prime Focus Technology develops systems that ease the burden on media providers struggling with the demands of a digital age. New investor Ambit Pragma will help the company expand its reach
Temasek, GDP, Mistletoe in fresh round for Singapore's Garena
Singapore-headquartered mobile internet and gaming platform Garena has raised a fresh round of funding from a unit of Temasek Holdings, Indonesia's Global Digital Prima (GDP) Venture, and Japanese impact investor Mistletoe.
IDG-Everbright fund buys Shanghai Film Art Academy
China Everbright (CEL) and IDG Capital Partners have acquired a controlling stake in the Shanghai Film Art Academy for an undisclosed sum.
Ambit Pragma invests in India's Prime Focus
Indian mid-market PE firm Ambit Pragma has invested in Prime Focus Technology (PFT), a subsidiary of Indian media services company Prime Focus.
Cross-border consumer: The Korean wave
Driven by the popularity of music, TV dramas and beauty products, Korea’s cultural cachet has never been stronger. PE and strategic investors want to monetize the phenomenon, for as long as it lasts
China football: Game of two halves?
Chinese investors are showing increased interest in international football clubs, hoping to profit off their growing domestic fanbases
Deal focus: NextVR takes live VR worldwide
US-based virtual reality broadcaster NextVR raises $80 million for expansion, mostly from Asian investors
China’s Douyu TV raises further $226m
Douyu TV, a Chinese online platform that features live videos of people playing games, has raised a RMB1.5 billion ($226 million) Series C round of funding led by Phoenix Investments and existing investor Tencent Holdings.
China’s IDG to acquire 20% of France-based Olympique Lyonnais
China’s IDG Capital Partners has agreed to take a 20% stake in OL Groupe, the holding company of French football club Olympique Lyonnais, for a total of EUR100 million ($112 million).
China’s Tencent, PCCW invest in PE-backed STX Entertainment
China’s Tencent Holdings and Hong Kong-based telecom company PCCW have made equity investments in STX Entertainment, a Hollywood film and TV studio backed by Hony Capital and TPG Capital's growth arm.
China Huace invests $64m in VC-backed Xiao Hong Chun
China Huace Film & TV has acquired a 35% stake in Xiao Hong Chun, a Chinese VC-backed video e-commerce platform, for $63.85 million.
Asian investors back $80m global expansion for NextVR
NextVR, a US-based start-up developing live streaming content for virtual reality (VR), has raised an $80 million Series B round, mostly from investors in Asia.
Chinese investors to buy Italy's AC Milan for $820m
Haixia Capital, an investment firm controlled by China’s State Development & Investment Corporation, is part of a Chinese consortium that will buy leading Italian football club AC Milan.
Telkom Indonesia, Telstra launch VC partnership
State-controlled Telkom Indonesia has partnered with Australia’s Telstra Ventures to pursue venture capital investment opportunities in Southeast Asia.
Discovery buys stake in CMC-backed VS Media
US media company Discovery Communications has acquired a minority stake in VS Media Group, a Hong Kong-based multi-channel network (MCN) that counts China’s CMC Holdings among its investors.