Business/Finance
IPTV and advance media services firms Auroras Ent and Broadstream Comm have agreed to merge, pending shareholder approval. The name of the combined entity will be Avail Media, for which current Broadstream CEO Ramu Potarazu will serve in the same capacity. Auroras CEO Diane Smith will become pres. The merger is expected to close early next year. — Liberty Media announced a cash payment of $162.62/bond to holders of its 3.5% Senior Exchangeable Debentures due in ’31. The distribution is expected to be made on Jan 10 to holders of record on Dec 26. — Vivendi has decided not to exercise its exit rights in Jan with respect to NBCU and will remain a 20% stakeholder in the media co. Through modified agreements between Vivendi and NBCU parent GE, Vivendi may now exercise its right to demand an NBCU IPO in Nov each year from ’07-’16, and GE’s right to call Vivendi’s interest may be exercised each year from ’11-’17.