• by Wayne Friedman , November 21, 2013

Entertainment, media and communications deals rose nearly 10% in the first nine months of 2013 versus the same period a year ago.

A PwC study (formerly PricewaterhouseCoopers) says there was a 9% gain, or 53 deals to 648 deals. Total deal volume jumped -- $207.2 billion versus $49.8 billion.

Verizon Communications announced a deal to buy Verizon Wireless for $130.1 billion during the period. Taking this out of the equation, deal value rose $77.1 billion versus $49.8 billion.

As a group, broadcasting deals had a strong period, as many TV station groups were active. Total deal value climbed to $25.3 billion versus $5.4 billion in contrast to a slightly higher number of deals -- 55 versus 46 in the first nine months of 2012.

During the period, Tribune announced a deal to buy Local TV Corp. for $2.7 billion and Gannett Co.’s deal for Belo Corp. for $2.1 billion.

Leaving out the Verizon deal, the next-biggest mover was in the telecommunications area -- more than doubling its deal value to $23.9 billion from $12.1 on some 115 deals.  

Advertising and marketing deals recorded the largest number of deals -- 133, with a volume of $18.8 billion versus $1.3 billion. Internet-related deals were next at 123. But the value of its deals dropped by more than two-thirds -- to $1.4 billion from $7.1 billion.

PwC notes that announced that media deals in fiscal year 2012 were at 833 versus 915 in fiscal year 2012 .