The NDS Group, a provider of technology for digital pay-TV announced at IBC that it has agreed to acquire the MEDIAHIGHWAY middleware business from Thomson and has licensed certain patents from Thomson, in a deal valued at approximately $65 million in cash. The move makes NDS a worldwide leader in middleware, the software that enables interactive services like electronics program guides and video on demand.
Under terms of the deal, NDS takes ownership of the entire MEDIAHIGHWAY business. All employees related to the development and provision of it will now join NDS France.
The agreement was necessary, said Dr. Abe Peled, president and CEO of NDS, because the company has experienced increased demand for its middleware. The company recently opened a new ITV software R&D center in Paris and also maintains facilities in Israel and the U.K.
For more information visit www.nds.com and www.thomson.net.
