Ateme to merge with Anevia to create major player in video broadcasting infrastructure

In a mutually agreed transaction, Ateme and the main shareholders of over the top (OTT) and IPTV software publisher, Anevia, who together hold 87% of the share capital and 90% of the theoretical voting rights of the latter, have entered into exclusive negotiations to transfer their interest in the share capital of the Anevia to the benefit of Ateme.

The combination of the two companies is set to create a major player in video broadcasting infrastructure, with combined revenues of more than €80 million (pro forma 2019).

The transaction has received the prior unanimous support of the boards of directors of both parties.

Anevia is a software publisher for the OTT and IPTV distribution of live, deferred and on demand (VoD) television and video, offers a complete portfolio of video compression solutions, multi-screen IPTV headends, cloud DVR and CDN.

An “information-consultation” procedure with employee representative bodies of the Anevia and Ateme is now being launched. Upon completion of the above mentioned “information-consultation” procedures, Ateme will acquire all Anevia shares held by the majority shareholders (including those to be issued upon exercise of securities giving access to Anevia’s share capital), in part by way of contributions in kind, and for the remainder, in cash.

Michel Artières, chairman and CEO at Ateme, said: “A merger with Anevia and its high performance solutions for optimising video flow delivery is a key step in our expansion strategy in our customers’ value chain and the conquest of new markets. Both companies share the same values of respect and innovation. Based on our mission to deliver the best quality of experience, our ambition is to become the reference video solution for billions of consumers. The shared vision of the two companies and their strong culture should enable us to rapidly create significant value for our customers, employees and shareholders.”

Laurent Lafarge, chairman and CEO at Anevia, stated: “Anevia’s management is delighted with this project to combine with Ateme, the leader in video distribution infrastructure. This combination is a tremendous opportunity to accelerate development in a buoyant market, thanks to a value proposition which is rich and strong in innovation.”

Subject to obtaining the opinions of the relevant employee representative bodies of Anevia and Ateme, and the reports of an independent expert and the contribution auditors, the acquisition and contribution transactions could be completed before the end of the third quarter of 2020 and the offer before the end of the fourth quarter of 2020.