Thales has signed a binding agreement to acquire LiveTV, JetBlue’s fully-owned aircraft TV and broadband subsidiary, for US$400m. The deal is expected to be completed in mid-2014, subject to regulatory and other approvals. LiveTV employs around 450 people and its estimated revenues for 2014 are over US$150m.
Founded in 1998 in Florida, USA, LiveTV provides seatback IFE systems, and offers regional live television, wireless video and global live television coverage. The company also provides connectivity solutions covering Ka-Band broadband, multi-band broadband(Ku, Ka and L-Band), LiveAero and Regional Satellite Radio.
“LiveTV is a great strategic fit for Thales”, commented Jean-Bernard Lévy, chairman and CEO of Thales. “It will improve our positioning in the high-growth business of in-flight entertainment and connectivity. Our aim is to offer the highest performance, and the most competitive and flexible connectivity solution to airlines, regardless of their fleet-size, aircraft type or route structure.”
