Global Media M&A Hits Record In 2015

Global media mergers and acquisitions deals rose in 2015 to an all-time record -- with the U.S. the most active region.

Mergermarket, a mergers and acquisitions research company, says some 3,021 were announced valued at $768.3 billion, up 46.6% in value compared to 2014 -- $ 524.1 billion and 2,988 deals.

While the U.S. was the most active -- 977 deals valued at $412.5 billion -- the Asia-Pacific region continued to climb to new records at 783 deals, with a value of $177.7 billion, up nearly 150% in value versus 2014.

European regions slipped behind 2014 levels -- down to 967 total deals from 978, with volume also dropping slightly at $157.9 billion from $160.1 billion.

Worldwide technology deals climbed to around 2,225 deals, up from about 2,100 in 2014. Media deals sank to around 600 from 650 in 2014; and telecommunications deal remained about the same at around 250.

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The greatest value of those 2015 deals came with technology -- at $421.6 billion; telecommunications, were next at $259.3 billion, while media was at $87.4 billion.

With $200 billion in cash on hand, Mergermarket says Apple is poised to be an active player in 2016. It cites that analysts point to company GoPro, which has seen some market downturns, as a logical Apple acquisition.

Other possible media and technology buyers for the near term would include Amazon, Comcast and AT&T.

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