The Chernin Group and AT&T create OTT joint venture

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014
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The Chernin Group and AT&T Create New Venture to Acquire, Invest in and Launch Online Video Businesses

DALLAS & LOS ANGELES — AT&T (NYSE:T) and The Chernin Group, which manages and invests in media businesses around the world, today announced the formation of a venture to acquire, invest in and launch over-the-top (OTT) video services. The Chernin Group and AT&T have committed over $500 million in funding to the venture. Further financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

This alliance positions AT&T and The Chernin Group to take advantage of the rapid growth of online video and OTT video services, with each party bringing significant and complementary strengths. The strategic goal of this initiative will be to invest in advertising and subscription VOD channels as well as streaming services.

“AT&T and The Chernin Group are combining our skill sets to address the growing consumer demand for accessing content how and when they want it,” said John Stankey, Chief Strategy Officer at AT&T. “Combining our expertise in network infrastructure, mobile, broadband and video with The Chernin Group’s management and expertise in content, distribution, and monetization models in online video creates the opportunity for us to develop a compelling offering in the OTT space.”

The Chernin Group brings assets as well as expertise to the venture, including contribution of its majority stake in Crunchyroll, a leading subscription video on demand service.

“A critical part of The Chernin Group’s strategy has been our significant focus on the online video industry, and joining forces with AT&T only further underscores our strategic commitment in this area as operators, investors and programmers,” said Peter Chernin, Chairman and CEO, The Chernin Group. “Consumers are increasingly viewing video content on their phones, tablets, computers, game consoles and connected TVs on mobile and broadband networks. AT&T’s massive reach on those platforms across mobile and broadband and their commitment to the online video space make them the perfect fit for this venture with us.”