LONDON-Vodafone Group plc signed a deal with Sony Pictures Mobile for new entertainment products based on Sony Pictures Entertainment, as well as original and third-party content for Vodafone’s Live! multimedia service.
Vodafone announced several games based on Sony Pictures Entertainment properties that initially will be available on its Live! service, including “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” “Stuart Little 2: Air Adventure,” “Jeopardy!,” “Wheel of Fortune” and others.
Sony plans to supply Vodafone’s customers audio and video clips, interactive applications and games, Vodafone said.
“We are looking forward to developing content based on current and upcoming films and televisions programs, as well as original entertainment and games,” said Ron Geller, senior vice president international networks, Sony Pictures Digital Networks.
Vodafone last month signed an agreement with video game company Acclaim Entertainment for an exclusive deal to offer a wireless version of Acclaim’s new soccer game over Vodafone’s Live! offering.
In other news, Vodafone said it has agreed on the terms of a cash offer for U.K. corporate market wireless reseller Project Telecom plc for about $249 million. The acquisition would give Vodafone a stronger foothold in the lucrative enterprise market, market watchers said.
Vodafone is offering $1.13 in cash for each Project Telecom share. “Vodafone will be able to access directly Project Telecom’s important customers and enhance the already high levels of customer services and advanced communications services offered by Project Telecom,” said Gavin Darby, chief executive officer of Vodafone U.K. “We look forward to further developing the segment.”
Vodafone said the offer is a premium of about 43 percent on the closing price of Project Telecom’s shares July 10, which is the last business day prior to Project Telecom’s announcement that it was in discussions regarding an acquisition. Vodafone has received irrevocable undertakings to accept the offer representing about 60.2 percent of the existing issued share capital, even in the event of a higher bid.
Last month, four European operators announced details of an alliance that will compete with Vodafone across Europe for the corporate market segment.
