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In an unexpected move, Luxembourg-based European media group CLT-UFA has agreed with Rupert Murdoch to take over the latter 49.9 per cent stake in German general interest channel VOX, thereby becoming the Cologne-based broadcaster’s main shareholder. This means that the controversial ‘shoot-out’ clause under which one shareholder could have bought the other’s stake, if the latter failed to match the offer, will not come into force. CLT-UFA paid DM 650 million (Euro330 million) for the stake which is held by Murdoch’s News Corp. The company, owned 50:50 by media groups Bertelsmann and Audiofina, now controls 74.8 per cent of VOX, while French pay-TV broadcaster Canal Plus holds 24.9 per cent.
Rena Golden has been appointed as senior vice-president of CNN International, deputising for Chris Cramer. Golden joined CNN as a production assistant in 1985.
Israeli digital bouquet Yes is reported to be suffering further launch delays. Yes had been expected to launch on Amos 1 last autumn. Local reports suggest the delays are the result of an on-going squabble between local cable operators and the Israeli Ministry of Telecommunications. Test broadcasts are taking place on Amos. The cable operators, who have acquired exclusive rights to many western channels and programmes over the past few years, were expected to offer their channels to satellite in return for a guaranteed four year extension to their own licence period.
Galaxy 11 was successfully launched on December 21 from Kourou for PanAmSat. Galaxy 11 is PAS’s largest, and the heaviest and most powerful communications bird ever launched. G11, the first HS702 craft from Hughes Space & Communications, has 40 Ku-band and 24 C-band transponders and will initially be sited at 99 degrees West, and then to its permanent home at 91 degrees West. Weighing some 4,500 kgs, the launch was aboard an Ariane 44L, with four strap on boosters.
Hughes Space & Communications International (HSCI) has appointed Reinhard Schnabel to lead its marketing efforts as vice president, Europe. He will report to Jack Strand, HSCI’s director of commercial marketing worldwide. Schnabel succeeds William Schnicke as HSCI’s principal representative in Europe, and will have his office in Stuttgart. Schnabel most recently was vice president for business development and programmes for the Space Communications Division of Bosch Telecom GmbH. He also was a member of the Eurospace Council, and chairman of the Programme Board for Communications and Navigation with the German space agency.
MTV Networks has added four of its suite niche channels to Canalsatellite. M2, MTV Base, MTV Extra and VH-1 Classic were added on January 1, bringing the total MTV channels available up to six.
France’s AB Sat’s thematic channels now reach 400,000 households, according to parent company Groupe AB. The figures, for the end of December, include 360,000 satellite subscribers and 38,000 cable.
Reto Braun has been appointed as CEO of The Fantastic Corporation, replacing Peter Ohnemus, who is to take a back seat as vice-chairman of the board of directors on the advice of his doctors. Braun will also take the role of chairman in place of Giorgio Ronchi. Braun most recently was CEO of the Swiss Post.
Paul Michel Pignal has been named president of Satel Conseil, replacing Michel Popot, who has retired. Pignal comes from France Telecom. Pierre Bescond has been named director general, replacing Robert Blanc who has also taken retirement. Bescond comes from WorldSpace, prior to which he held several positions at CNES, including managing director of the Kourou Space Centre.
Open…, the digital interactive service, said on Monday that its customers were spending at the rate of Pounds 1 million a week in the lead up to Christmas. Almost 130,000 orders were processed between launch date (October 12) and Christmas, and some 350,000 users have registered for the e-mail service. Open said 40,000 people are using HSBC Open…-based home-banking system.

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