Peter Kafka

News Byte

Yep, Google’s in the Content Business. And Now It’s Fessing Up to Its Machinima Investment.

Peter Kafka in Media on May 21 at 3:18 pm PT

Like we told you earlier this month: Google has invested in Machinima, one of the most popular networks/channels on Google’s YouTube. Google — that’s Google Inc., not Google Ventures — now confirms that it led the $35 million round, along with previous investors Redpoint Ventures and MK Capital. My sources previously told me the deal would value Machinima at around $190 million.

News Byte

Spotify Launches in Australia

Peter Kafka in Media on May 21 at 1:46 pm PT

Spotify opened for business in Australia and New Zealand today. The move broadens the streaming music service’s reach as it raises a new round of funding that should value the company at $4 billion by the time it closes. Last month rival service MOG announced an Australian expansion but hasn’t launched yet.

News Byte

Carlyle Group Leads $100 Million Round for Video Service

Peter Kafka in Media on May 21 at 1:01 pm PT

Avail-TVN, a company that helps process and manage video for cable systems and other services, has raised $100 million in a round led by the Carlyle Group, along with previous investors including Columbia Capital, Valhalla Partners, Novak Biddle and Pioneer Ventures. Avail-TVN used $27 million of the round to buy UK-based On Demand Group, which provides video-on-demand services outside the U.S. Last year, it generated more than $200 million in revenue.

News Byte

Harvey Geller, Universal Music Group’s Top Lawyer, Is Out

Peter Kafka in Media on May 16 at 11:17 am PT

Harvey Geller, Universal Music Group’s longtime lawyer, left the company earlier this week. A person familiar with Universal said Geller was now headed for another job but didn’t have other details. His name will be familiar to many digital-media companies, since he often led fierce and sustained battles against them on behalf of the world’s biggest music label.