Who's Buying Trident's STB/SoC Tech?

At the request of the seller, connected-home-entertainment maven Entropic Communications Inc. has submitted a $55 million offer for “certain assets” belonging to Trident Microsystems’ set-top box (STB) system on a chip (SoC) business in connection with Trident’s Jan. 4 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

If successful, Entropic would end up owning Trident’s complete STB product portfolio, comprised of a suite of digital STB components and system solutions for worldwide satellite, terrestrial, cable and IPTV networks.

In addition to the proposed purchase price, Entropic would assume “specified liabilities upon the closing of the transaction, subject to adjustment for closing working capital balances and other matters, as set forth in the asset purchase agreement.” The deal could close sometime during the first quarter.

According to Entropic President/CEO Patrick Henry, "The acquisition of Trident Microsystems’ STB business provides an important strategic opportunity for Entropic by enabling us to combine our best-in-class MoCA solutions, including MoCA2, with Trident’s SoC business to deliver a complete system solution to the world’s premier cable, telco and satellite service providers while expanding our total addressable market over the next several years.”

He continues, “Additionally, this acquisition would provide us with key talented resources, increased scale, valuable intellectual property, broader customer relationships and an expanded worldwide footprint to ensure sustained success in our core markets and accelerated penetration in the global SoC markets."??

Upon a successful close of the proposed deal, Entropic says it will hire nearly 400 Trident employees located primarily in China, India, the U.K., Taiwan, Korea and the United States. Entropic would also acquire facilities in Austin, Texas; Belfast, Northern Ireland; and Hyderabad, India. It also will use portions of Trident’s facilities in China, Taiwan and Korea under a facilities-use agreement while Entropic assesses its facilities requirements.??

In other acquisition news, Canada’s TransGaming Inc., says it will buy Oberon Media’s interactive TV & connected TV division in a $7 million deal set to close Jan. 6.

Upon closing, TransGaming gains “a new recurring multi-million-dollar annual revenue stream” via distribution agreements with smart-TV manufacturers; and a network of cable, satellite and iTV service providers that includes DISH Network and DIRECTV in North America, and Reliance Digital TV and AirTel Digital TV through third-party distribution agreements in the Indo-Pacific region.