HomeChoice Under The Hammer As Sky Takes An Interest

Broadband and TV firm HomeChoice is to be sold off by operator Video Networks Limited, according to newspaper reports over the weekend, with BSkyB rumoured to have shown interest in the firm.

The report by the Sunday Express does not name its source, but claimed BSkyB had tabled an initial bid for the company, believed to have a £200 million price tag, last week.

HomeChoice’s services could prove a good fit for BSkyB’s evolving broadband interests, which include the recently acquired internet service provider, EasyNet (see NewsLine), as well as its own-brand sport and movie download service, Sky By Broadband (see Sky By Broadband Trial Offers Glimpse Of VOD Plans).

HomeChoice currently offers broadband, telephone and IPTV services to around 34,000 customers in and around London, with video on-demand content one of the firm’s major selling points. The company already offers subscribers access to some Sky channels, carrying them under the satellite firm’s Sky By Wire branding (see Sky Boosts Audience Reach With HomeChoice Deal).

According to the Sunday Express, investment bank Credit Suisse First Boston is handling HomeChoice’s sale, following its appointment last November to help with the raising of new equity funds (see HomeChoice Plans National Roll Out To Rival Cable).

HomeChoice was unavailable for comment on the reports this morning.

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