BSkyB Takes Stake In Toyzone And Eyes More New Media Equity

BSkyB has acquired a 5% stake in internet toy retailer, www.toyzone.co.uk, representing the satellite broadcaster’s first equity holding in an ecommerce company.

The deal is the first of a number of further new media acquisitions planned by BSkyB. The company is understood to have built up capital to fund the acquisition of other new media and ecommerce interests. A spokesperson for BSkyB said that the company is now “actively looking at new media investments”.

As part of the deal Sky’s commission of the Pokemon children’s series will be sponsored by Toyzone. There will also be cross-promotions of Sky and Toyzone on their respective websites.

The Toyzone service will also get the full interactive television treatment by being placed in the Open portfolio of interactive services. Open, which launched a selection of shopping, banking and gaming services on Sky Digital last month (see Interactive TV Launches In The UK), is 32.5%-owned by BSkyB.

BSkyB: 0171 705 3000