FT: UK Online DVD Rental Service Lovefilm in Buyout Talks

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 15, 2009 - 10:32am.

London - Lovefilm, a U.K.-based online DVD rental service, is in the midst of buyout talks with potential suitors that include KKR and Silver Lake Partners, the Financial Times reported.

The talks reportedly would see a deal where new investors acquired a majority stake in Lovefilm, instead of a full buyout of existing shareholders -- which include Amazon.com (NASD: AMZN), which holds a 32% stake.

Other shareholders include venture capital firms Arts Alliance Media, Index Ventures, Balderton Capital and DJF Esprit.

FT.com reports that the talks have Lovefilm valued at about $328 million.

"We can confirm Lovefilm has received approaches and the board is considering options on behalf of the group and its shareholders," a Lovefilm spokesperson told PaidContent.

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/k6n4r (Financial Times)

http://snipurl.com/k6n5w (PaidContent)

http://www.lovefilm.com