[Satellite TODAY 03-10-11] Technicolor received a binding offer to sell its Thomson Video Networks (TVN) business to the Fonds de Consolidation et de Développement des Entreprises (FCDE) capital development fund in France for an undisclosed amount, Technicolor announced March 9.
    FCDE will inherit full ownership of TVN’s entire portfolio, including video encoders/decoders, MPEG processors, video servers, datacasters, network management, monitoring and switching product lines, associated research and development centers, and its systems activities worldwide. TVN’ sales and customer support organizations as well as the use of the Thomson brand also are part of the deal.
    "This investment will allow TVN to reinforce its presence with a renewed product line targeting the most promising market segments – satellite, terrestrial, IPTV and Web TV – and the fastest growing regions in the United States, South America and Asia," FCDE Executive Board Member Charles-Henri Rossignol said in a statement.
    The FCDE fund, endowed with about 200 million euros ($278.6 million) by the Fonds Stratégique d’Investissement and other French banks and insurance companies, finances the recovery and development of small- to medium-sized enterprises demonstrating potential for growth. FCDE has pledged to maintain TVN’s usual business practices and will continue honoring existing contracts, service agreements and warranties according to their current terms.