by Tatiana Repkova

A report from Pricewaterhousecoopers LLC (PwC) sees 2007 as another strong year for European media mergers and acquisitions.

Deals in 2006 were worth €43 billion ($56 billion), the highest in six years. Deals from private equity groups KKR and Permira alone accounted for €19 billion ($24.6 billion) in 2006. Six deals were worth €1 billion plus. The Media Insights report, issued yesterday (Wednesday, January 30) also suggests that U.S. firms will continue to stay from foreign investment, citing the weak dollar and “problems at home.”

For 2007, PwC predicts 175 deals worth €40 billion ($52 billion). U.K. media deals should revive following an expected ad market recovery.

http://www.followthemedia.com/tickle/ticklefile29012007.htm#8; February 2, 2007

by Tatiana Repkova

Beginning February 5, Delhi's first morning tabloid, Metro Now, priced at Re 1 for 48 pages, will be rolled out from Monday to Saturday. The tabloid will be launched by Metropolitan Media; a 50/50 joint venture between HT Media and The Times of India Group. Metropolitan is an independent company floated by the JV.

“Metro Now is a complete newspaper targeted at the youth aged 25-30, residing in Delhi NCR. The morning tabloid is a new concept in Delhi and we seriously see the need and opportunity to segment the market,” said Sameer Kapoor, president of the Metropolitan Media Company.

Although the tabloid will carry all the news, a major focus will be on Delhi centric news. The editorial team for the newspaper currently comprises around 50 people. Kamlesh Singh, formerly the deputy editor at CNN-IBN, has will serve as editor, while Soni Sanghwan, formerly an associate editor at CNN-IBN, has joined the Metro Now team as deputy editor. http://www.agencyfaqs.com/perl/news/index.html?sid=16984; February 1, 2007