Sky agrees deal for Amstrad's set top boxes
BSkyB has agreed to buy set top box maker, Amstrad, in a £125m deal. It seems to make sense as Amstrad already supplies around 30% of Sky’s set top devices and orders from the broadcaster make up 75% of its business.
Sky claims the deal means they can save money, design products in-house and be more innovative - including the design of new HD set top boxes
Sir Alan Sugar, Amstrad’s chairman and chief executive, said the two companies have worked together successfully for a long time.
"I cannot imagine a better home for the Amstrad business and its talented people," he said.
"Our companies share the entrepreneurial spirit of bringing innovation to the largest number of customers.”
BskyB said the deal would ‘significantly’ reduce costs in its supply chain and give the company more control over design and specification of products with more flexibility to continually improve the technology.
It looks a good deal for the broadcaster but it could have repercussions for existing users as Amstrad boxes will effectively become standard for all Sky receivers – while they only supply 30% of boxes at the moment.
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oh dear this is not good.
amstrad has one of the worst reps of any of the producers of sky boxes I hope they get no where near sky HD boxes. Good job I got Thomson
Posted by: Richard Hooker | July 31, 2007 2:22 PM