Following their acquisition of Score Media Inc. at the end of last month, Rogers Communications Inc. has plans to introduce their own revamped mobile sports apps. According to company media division head Keith Pelley the apps should be introduced come Q1 of 2013.
A large part of the $167 million August 25 acquisition (TQ was on it) hinged on Rogers ability to leverage Score Media’s digital assets, particularly their mobile sports apps which are among the most popular on both the BlackBerry and iOS platform. Rogers was granted immediate access to Score’s technology which includes blueprints and data related to the mobile app business.
According to analysts at Byron Capital Markets believe that Rogers has negotiated a three year “white label” agreement with the Score to bring the latter’s app service under the Rogers brand. It remains unclear whether Rogers will populate the new apps with their own content or simply opt to retain the Score’s data or another such provider.
The deal, which is still awaiting shareholder and regulatory approval, will see Score Media rebrand their mobile business under the new banner Score Digital. It remains unknown whether the firm will maintain their own standalone apps and data for non-Rogers customers in Canada.
The acquisition was a bid by Rogers to differentiate their service as rival firms BCE Inc. and TELUS Mobility have gained ground on Canada’s largest telecommunications provider. Rogers will put $12 million towards the deal for a 10% stake in Score’s digital asset business.
SOURCE: The Financial Post