Could Arqivas buyout bring Kangaroo back to life?
Arqiva, which operates a terrestrial TV transmission network and already works with all the major broadcasters, now plans to launch its own consumer video-on-demand service. It will no doubt want to move quickly to launch the service, which will include both free-to-air and paid-content propositions. The purchase of Kangaroo was a savvy move and on paper Arqiva’s service is in a very strong position. Kangaroo was very close to launch when it was prohibited by the Competition Commission and all who had seen it raved about what a fantastic service it was. Couple with this the bargain £8m price tag rumoured to have been paid by Arqiva, a sum significantly smaller than the original partners’ total investment, and it’s clear it got a good deal. Added to this is the company’s existing relationships with the major broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five and Sky through its role as an independent provider of infrastructure and a licence holder for two digital multiplexes, a role t
