TVN, Avail Media Merge; NRTC Invests

TVN Entertainment and Avail Media are merging. Together, TVN and Avail Media represent a fully integrated, end-to-end solution for content owners and service providers. Columbia Capital, Novak Biddle Venture Partners, Valhalla Partners, Pioneer Ventures and the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative have invested in the combined company. Terms were not disclosed.

The NRTC investment is intended to enable access to all the best programming available from Hollywood, network providers, and independent producers, as well as ensure members a stake in a robust, next-generation IPTV transport platform. The investment will make NRTC a major shareholder in the combined company, and the co-op will acquire a seat on its board of directors.