Taiwan Optical seeking to acquire EBC TV station

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/10/15
By: Esme Jiang and Frances Huang

Taipei, Oct. 15 (CNA) Taiwan Optical Platform Co. (台灣數位光訊) is aiming to acquire a majority stake in Eastern Broadcasting Co. (EBC, 東森電視) and says it hopes to transform it into a 4K high-definition TV platform after it completes its deal to purchase the major Taiwanese broadcasting company.

Taiwan Optical, which provides a wide range of telecommunication services, such as Internet broadband access service, online gaming, e-learning, VoIP service, and wireless broadband service, announced on Friday that it will acquire a 65 percent stake in EBC for NT$11.12 billion (US$351 million).

EBC is one of the top 10 TV stations in Taiwan; operating 10 TV channels, including two news channels.

Currently, Taiwan Optical Platform ranks as the 5th largest cable TV system operator in the country, having about 295,600 subscribers in central Taiwan, where the company is based, and taking a 5.8 percent share in the local cable TV market.     [FULL  STORY]