TI Media offloads pay-TV operations

Telecom Italia Media has agreed to sell the bulk of its pay-per-view operations to the Swedish pay-TV group Airplus TV. The Italian firm says it is looking to concentrate on the operation of its digital and analogue broadcasting networks rather than the provision of content to end users, Telecompaper reports. The deal with Airplus sees TI Media create a new subsidiary to contain its pay-per-view activities; TI Media will retain a 9% stake in the new division while Airplus will control the remainder. The financial details of the purchase, which is expected to close next month, were not disclosed.