USA: Disney invests $1bn (€896m) in online video by acquiring 33% of BAMTech

The Walt Disney Company has acquired 33% of BAMTech, a subsidiary specialising in online videos, specifically for MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), for $1bn (approximately €896m), on 09/08/2016. Walt Disney will pay the amount in two stages: a first payment in August 2016 and a second in January 2017. The entertainment company also has an option to acquire 100% of the rights to BAMTech in the coming years. This values the BamTech group at nearly $3bn (€2.68bn).

"Our investment in BAMTech gives us the technology infrastructure we need to quickly scale and monetise our streaming capabilities at ESPN and across our company," said Robert Iger, Disney chairman and chief executive, on 09/08/2016.

Following this agreement, BAMTech has seceded from MLBAM, the media branch of MLB. The Walt Disney Company, in partnership with BAMTech, will launch a platform for sports streaming via subscription under the ESPN brand, a bouquet of cable channels dedicated to sport which belongs to Disney. This platform will "include MLB and NHL content, as well other sports including college sports, tennis, rugby…