CSI Files
Captain
In December <font color=blue>Alliance Atlantis Communications</font> confirmed that it was up sale. The Canada-based independent distributor co-produces the CSI franchise and handles the international distribution.
With their production partner on the auction block, <font color=blue>CBS</font> could become the sole owner of CSI if it bought out its partner’s stake in the franchise. It’s unclear whether the contract between CBS and Alliance Atlantis includes a provision for either partner to have a right of first refusal on the franchise if the other pulls out.
<font color=blue>CanWest Global Communications</font> is considered to be the front-runner in the purchase of Alliance Atlantis. CanWest has teamed up with U.S. private equity player <font color=blue>Goldman Sachs</font> to take a shot at the purchase. However, the company is spread thin financially and it’s unknown whether it would be able to come up with the $1.8 billion Alliance Atlantis is thought to be worth.
CSI is the highest-grossing American television series franchise in both domestic and international syndication. Domestically CSI:NY reruns pull in $2 million per episode. Internationally each of the three series brings in approximately $1 million per episode. The CSI portion of Alliance Atlantis’ holdings is estimated to be worth between $597 million to $682 million.
See two recent articles for more information: and <A class="link" HREF=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=print_story&articleid=VR1117956883&categoryid=14>Variety Article 2.<center></center>
With their production partner on the auction block, <font color=blue>CBS</font> could become the sole owner of CSI if it bought out its partner’s stake in the franchise. It’s unclear whether the contract between CBS and Alliance Atlantis includes a provision for either partner to have a right of first refusal on the franchise if the other pulls out.
<font color=blue>CanWest Global Communications</font> is considered to be the front-runner in the purchase of Alliance Atlantis. CanWest has teamed up with U.S. private equity player <font color=blue>Goldman Sachs</font> to take a shot at the purchase. However, the company is spread thin financially and it’s unknown whether it would be able to come up with the $1.8 billion Alliance Atlantis is thought to be worth.
CSI is the highest-grossing American television series franchise in both domestic and international syndication. Domestically CSI:NY reruns pull in $2 million per episode. Internationally each of the three series brings in approximately $1 million per episode. The CSI portion of Alliance Atlantis’ holdings is estimated to be worth between $597 million to $682 million.
See two recent articles for more information: and <A class="link" HREF=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=print_story&articleid=VR1117956883&categoryid=14>Variety Article 2.<center></center>