HomeChoice Could Cut Sale Price

HomeChoice, the broadband, telephone and IPTV provider, looks as if it will have to cut its sale price from a hoped for £200 million after its owners received offers nearer the £50 million mark.

Investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston are handling the sale for Video Networks, the company behind HomeChoice, who last year reported a loss of £46.5 million compared to a £1.5 million loss the year before.

In January there were rumours that BSkyB had made a bid for the company (see HomeChoice Under The Hammer As Sky Takes An Interest) and they may have returned to the table this time around.

Last year BSkyB bought internet service provider Easynet for £211 million and it plans to roll out video on-demand and IPTV services over the next 12 months (see Sky To Launch IPTV Service In 2007). The acquisition of HomeChoice would provide Sky with a ready made platform from which to work.

HomeChoice wil soon have more operators to contend with as Orange are to launch a UK broadband television service (see Orange Announces “Free” Broadband TV) in direct competition with BT and BSkyB’s converged television and internet product.

HomeChoice: 0800 072 4454 www.homechoice.co.uk