Baidu Online Video Company to Get $50 Million Investment from Providence Equity Partners
Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU) , the leading Chinese language Internet search provider, recently announced that Baidu and Providence Equity Partners (“Providence”) have signed an agreement pursuant to which Providence will invest $50 million in Baidu’s new online video company to develop an advertising supported online video business providing premium licensed content in China. Baidu will continue to maintain majority ownership in the company. The new online video company has registered http://www.qiyi.com/ as its domain name.
Baidu, Inc. is the leading Chinese language Internet search provider. As a technology-based media company, Baidu aims to provide the best way for people to find information. In addition to serving individual Internet search users, Baidu provides an effective platform for businesses to reach potential customers. Baidu’s ADSs, each of which represents one Class A ordinary share, are currently trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “BIDU.”
Providence Equity Partners is the leading global private equity firm specializing in equity investments in media, entertainment, communications and information services companies around the world. The principals of Providence manage funds with over $22 billion in equity commitments and have invested in more than 100 companies operating in over 20 countries since the firm’s inception in 1989. Significant existing and prior investments include Bresnan Broadband Holdings, Casema, Com Hem, Digiturk, Education Management Corporation, eircom, Hulu, Idea Cellular, Kabel Deutschland, NexTag, Ono, PanAmSat, ProSiebenSat.1, Recoletos, TDC, Univision, VoiceStream Wireless, Warner Music Group, Western Wireless and Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network. Providence is headquartered in Providence, RI (USA) and has offices in New York, London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and New Delhi. Visit http://www.provequity.com/ for more information.