Dubai’s Showtime: worth $1bn+
Consolidation still a possibility
Showtime is the Middle East’s most successful pay-TV platform, and 2003 examinations by two investment bankers (Credit Suisse and UBS) have already valued the company at $750m, some three times its nominal book value. Showtime is a joint-venture between Kuwait-based Kipco and entertainment conglomerate Viacom, and is licensed to operate in 22 Mid-East and North African countries. Kipco is talking to a number of banks about a potential IPO, and Inside Satellite understands that at a Board Meeting in Kuwait last week a timetable that would lead to a probable stock exchange listing was discussed.

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… and here are the results of the Norwegian jury