Its official: Microsoft has bought Musiwave, paying $46 million in cash for the French mobile music provider.
The deal adds another string to Microsoft’s mobile bow, complementing its previous acquisitions in search (MotionBridge) and advertising (Screentonic). Specifically Musiwave brings with it one of the sector’s longest established music download platforms and relationships with 30 operators in 25 countries.Observers will now ponder how Microsoft can leverage these qualities to strengthen the proposition of its Zune handheld music player and community.
Pieter Knook, senior VP of mobile communications business at
Microsoft, said: “Microsoft is committed to delivering connected entertainment experiences for all consumers, including the access to rich music content. With the acquisition of Musiwave, we are deepening our position in the mobile entertainment market with an innovative provider to help broadly deliver a breadth of music software and services.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will also assume Musiwave’s $4 million net debt.
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