The dispute with Vivendi over the sale of its pay-TV unit "negatively impacted" the '16 accounts of Italian broadcaster Mediaset by €100M. The figure was announced by Mediaset CEO Pier Silvio Berlusconi, who added that the '17 results "will be much better." However, he "denied any ongoing negotiations with the French media company, adding that currently only legal action is taking place." Berlusconi added that Mediaset Premium’s subscriber base "is stable at 2 million subscribers and that the operator is still the center of interest of various players" (ADVANCED TELEVISION, 3/24).
Bookmaker Ladbrokes Coral "could be facing better odds this year as the profits from a less punter-friendly Cheltenham Festival emerge." The horseracing event "hit bookies hard" in '16. However, this year’s upsets -- such as 11/1 shot Special Tiara taking the Queen Mother Championship Chase -- "mean things could be looking up for Ladbrokes" as it reports its results for the year to Dec. 31. Analysts at Investec moved William Hill from a “sell” to a “hold” this week, partly based on Cheltenham, and Ladbrokes’ comments on current trading "could also be optimistic" (London TELEGRAPH, 3/26).
A winding-up petition against Women's Super League One side Notts County Ladies has been adjourned "for a second time," with the club given until July 3 to pay its debts. The case "concerns money owed" to U.K. tax authority HMRC and was previously adjourned on Feb. 6 for 49 days. On Monday, a court was told club Owner Alan Hardy, "aimed to clear the debt" (BBC, 3/27).
