Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End performed in line with expectations pulling in $156 million over the Memorial Day weekend to set a new record for the holiday period. However, whisper numbers were higher as many observers, including myself, thought the film could bring in $175-200 million. Most Wall Street analysts were looking for […]
Central European Media Enterprises (CETV) shares have pulled back this week amid news out of the Czech Republic concerning the awarding of new digital television licenses. The licensing process has been full of fits and starts with the government initially awarding six new national licenses but failing to provide licenses for the two national analog […]
https://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gif00Steve Birenberghttps://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gifSteve Birenberg2007-05-24 08:36:202007-05-24 08:36:20Central European Media Enterprises Pulls Back On Czech News
Valuevision (VVTV), owner of the ShopNBC, the #3 home shopping channel, reported disappointing 1Q08 results after the close. Similar to QVC and HSN, ShopNBC had weaker than expected sales. VVTV has a high fixed cost base due to expensive distribution contracts it signed with cable and satellite providers. As a result, 5% sales growth translated […]
Shrek The Third beat expectations this weekend as I thought it would. The total box office of $122 million is the third highest opening weekend of all time behind only Spiderman 3 and Pirates 2. It will fall to fourth next weekend when Pirates 3 likely surpasses Spiderman 3. The weekend box office was up […]
https://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gif00Steve Birenberghttps://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gifSteve Birenberg2007-05-21 08:34:492007-05-21 08:34:49Shrek The Third Off To A Good Start
As I noted last week, it seemed possible that Virgin Media (VMED) might be back in the crosshairs of private equity when one of its largest shareholders, Franklin Mutual Advisers, indicated that it wanted to meet with management and other shareholders regarding the poor performance of the company. My guess appears to have been accurate […]
The second big movie of the summer season, Shrek The Third, hits theatres today (actually showings began at 10 PM on Thursday night but those will count as opening day and opening weekend totals). No other new films are in wide release this weekend and Spiderman 3 is fading fast – even though it is […]
https://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gif00Steve Birenberghttps://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gifSteve Birenberg2007-05-18 14:29:452007-05-18 14:29:45Shrek The Third Hits Theatres
In response to yesterday’s post about the Bernstein analysis of Comcast as a private equity buyout candidate I received an email from my good friend and media confidante KG, who is also a hedge fund manager. As usual, KG is thought provoking: I read that Moffett analysis yesterday, and also read your piece. Such rationalization […]
One of the ways I keep up on all things media is through a Google email alert on Providence Equity, which is the major media focused private equity firm. An alert I received yesterday contained a link to an article discussing a note that Bernstein put out last week mentioning Comcast (CMCSA/CMCSK) as a perfect […]
https://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gif00Steve Birenberghttps://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gifSteve Birenberg2007-05-16 13:35:372007-05-16 13:35:37Is Comcast A Candidate For A Private Equity Buyout?
One oddity in the current multichannel television landscape is that all the major players are gaining subscribers despite what most observers would consider a pretty intense competitive environment in a mature industry. My rough calculations suggest that DirecTV and Echostar’s Dish Network will add about 2 million subs combined this year. Verizon and AT&T could […]
https://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gif00Steve Birenberghttps://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gifSteve Birenberg2007-05-15 13:32:492007-05-15 13:32:49Where Are All The New Cable and Satellite TV Customers Coming From?
In an SEC filing yesterday, Franklin Mutual Advisers indicated that it is seeking talks with management and other shareholders of Virgin Media (VMED) in light of VMED’s recently released first quarter results. Franklin owns 9.8% of VMED but has only modestly added to its position recently according to the filing. Here is the key passage […]
https://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gif00Steve Birenberghttps://northlakecapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/nl_logo.gifSteve Birenberg2007-05-15 08:20:352007-05-15 08:20:35Virgin Media Shareholder Speaks Out
Pirates Sets Sail Under Moderate Winds
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End performed in line with expectations pulling in $156 million over the Memorial Day weekend to set a new record for the holiday period. However, whisper numbers were higher as many observers, including myself, thought the film could bring in $175-200 million. Most Wall Street analysts were looking for […]
Central European Media Enterprises Pulls Back On Czech News
Central European Media Enterprises (CETV) shares have pulled back this week amid news out of the Czech Republic concerning the awarding of new digital television licenses. The licensing process has been full of fits and starts with the government initially awarding six new national licenses but failing to provide licenses for the two national analog […]
Valuevision At Critical Juncture
Valuevision (VVTV), owner of the ShopNBC, the #3 home shopping channel, reported disappointing 1Q08 results after the close. Similar to QVC and HSN, ShopNBC had weaker than expected sales. VVTV has a high fixed cost base due to expensive distribution contracts it signed with cable and satellite providers. As a result, 5% sales growth translated […]
Shrek The Third Off To A Good Start
Shrek The Third beat expectations this weekend as I thought it would. The total box office of $122 million is the third highest opening weekend of all time behind only Spiderman 3 and Pirates 2. It will fall to fourth next weekend when Pirates 3 likely surpasses Spiderman 3. The weekend box office was up […]
Virgin Media Takeover Speculation Revived
As I noted last week, it seemed possible that Virgin Media (VMED) might be back in the crosshairs of private equity when one of its largest shareholders, Franklin Mutual Advisers, indicated that it wanted to meet with management and other shareholders regarding the poor performance of the company. My guess appears to have been accurate […]
Shrek The Third Hits Theatres
The second big movie of the summer season, Shrek The Third, hits theatres today (actually showings began at 10 PM on Thursday night but those will count as opening day and opening weekend totals). No other new films are in wide release this weekend and Spiderman 3 is fading fast – even though it is […]
A Hedge Fund Manager Responds To Comcast Going Private
In response to yesterday’s post about the Bernstein analysis of Comcast as a private equity buyout candidate I received an email from my good friend and media confidante KG, who is also a hedge fund manager. As usual, KG is thought provoking: I read that Moffett analysis yesterday, and also read your piece. Such rationalization […]
Is Comcast A Candidate For A Private Equity Buyout?
One of the ways I keep up on all things media is through a Google email alert on Providence Equity, which is the major media focused private equity firm. An alert I received yesterday contained a link to an article discussing a note that Bernstein put out last week mentioning Comcast (CMCSA/CMCSK) as a perfect […]
Where Are All The New Cable and Satellite TV Customers Coming From?
One oddity in the current multichannel television landscape is that all the major players are gaining subscribers despite what most observers would consider a pretty intense competitive environment in a mature industry. My rough calculations suggest that DirecTV and Echostar’s Dish Network will add about 2 million subs combined this year. Verizon and AT&T could […]
Virgin Media Shareholder Speaks Out
In an SEC filing yesterday, Franklin Mutual Advisers indicated that it is seeking talks with management and other shareholders of Virgin Media (VMED) in light of VMED’s recently released first quarter results. Franklin owns 9.8% of VMED but has only modestly added to its position recently according to the filing. Here is the key passage […]