Liberty Global#Americas

{{short description|International telecommunications and television company}}

{{for|the American mass media company|Liberty Media}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2016}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Liberty Global Ltd.

| logo = 100px

| type = Public

| traded_as = {{ubl|{{NASDAQ|LBTYA}} (Class A)|{{NASDAQ|LBTYB}} (Class B)|{{NASDAQ|LBTYK}} (Class C)|Russell 1000 components (LBTYA, LBTYK)|{{LSE was|0XHR}} (Class A)|{{LSE was|0XHS}} (Class C)|{{BMV|LBTYAN|32824}} (Class A)|{{WBAG|LBTA}} (Class A)|{{WBAG|LBTC}} (Class C)|{{FWB|1LG}} (Class A)|{{FWB|1LGC}} (Class C)}}

| ISIN = {{ubl|{{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|GB00B8W67662}}|{{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|GB00B8W67779}}|{{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|GB00B8W67B19}}|{{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|US5305551013}}|{{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|US5305552003}}|{{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|US5305553092}}}}

| predecessor = Liberty Media International
UnitedGlobalCom

| key_people = Mike Fries (CEO)

| industry = {{ubl|Telecommunications|Mass media}}

| owner = John C. Malone (30.2%)

| products = {{ubl|Broadband internet|Cable television|Telephony|Mobile|Direct-broadcast satellite}}

| revenue = {{decrease}} {{US$|7.20 billion|link=yes}} (2022){{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/LBTYA/financials/|title=Financials|publisher=Yahoo! Finances}}

| operating_income = {{decrease}} US$2.37 billion (2022)

| net_income = {{decrease}} US$1.47 billion (2022)

| assets = {{decrease}} US$42.90 billion (2022)

| equity = {{decrease}} US$22.57 billion (2022){{Cite web |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/lbtya |title=Liberty Global PLC Cl A |website=marketwatch.com |language=en |access-date=2020-03-17}}

| num_employees = 23,000 (2020){{cite web|url=https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/LBTYA/liberty-global/number-of-employees|title=Liberty Global: Number of Employees 2006–2020|access-date=11 March 2021}}

| website = {{URL|www.libertyglobal.com}}

| founded = {{Start date and age|2005}} in Douglas County, Colorado, U.S.

| hq_location = {{Plainlist|

}}

| module = {{infobox network service provider|child=yes|asn=6830}}

}}

Liberty Global Ltd. is a British-Dutch-American multinational telecommunications company domiciled in Bermuda,{{Cite web |title=Redomiciliation |url=https://www.libertyglobal.com/redomiciliation/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Liberty Global |language=en-GB}} with headquarters in London, Amsterdam and Denver. Its respective legal names are Liberty Global Holdings Limited (UK), Liberty Global B.V. (Netherlands) and Liberty Global, Inc. (United States), with the first of these being publicly traded. It was formed in 2005 by the merger of the international arm of Liberty Media (in turn, a spin-off of American cable-television group TCI) and UnitedGlobalCom (UGC).{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21347814|title=Liberty Global to buy Virgin Media for $23.3bn|work=BBC News|date=February 6, 2013|access-date=February 6, 2013}}

Liberty Global had an annual revenue of $11.5 billion in 2019, with operations in six countries and 20,600 employees. It has 10.8 million cable service subscribers, or 25.3 million revenue generation units (RGU), combining video, internet, and voice customers.{{cite web|url=https://www.libertyglobal.com/about/key-facts/|title=AT A GLANCE|work=Liberty Global |access-date=13 November 2018 |last1=Gallimore |first1=David }}{{cite web| url=http://www.lightreading.com/video/video-services/liberty-global-presses-pause-on-4k-wifi-first-hopes/d/d-id/721106| title=Liberty Global Presses Pause on 4K, WiFi First Hopes| author=Mari Silbey| date=February 16, 2016| publisher=Light Reading| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=http://www.denverpost.com/2016/05/20/the-liberty-global-you-dont-know/| title=Liberty Global doesn't make money in Denver, but moved its headquarters here. Here's why.| author=Tamara Chuang| date=May 20, 2016| publisher=The Denver Post| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=http://www.libertyglobal.com/pdf/press-release/LG-Earnings-Release-Q2-16-FINAL.pdf| title=Liberty Global Reports Q2 and H1 2016 Results | date=August 4, 2016| publisher=Liberty Global| access-date=September 9, 2016}}

History

Liberty Global Inc. was founded in 2005 when Liberty Media International, Inc. (LMI) and UnitedGlobalCom, Inc. (UGC) merged. LMI and UGC became subsidiaries of Liberty Global. UGC founder was Gene Schneider. UGC was also built on acquisitions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/global/2000/0724/0314022a.html|title=Europe's New King Of Fiber|website=Forbes|access-date=March 20, 2023}} United International Holding, later called UGC, acquired 50% of UPC from Dutch electronic concern Philips in 1995, and 100% in 1997.

The new entity had operations in 18 countries and networks over approximately 23 million homes, making it one of the largest broadband services companies in the world.{{cite web| url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/06/16/liberty_ugc/| title=Liberty, UGC complete merger| date=June 16, 2005| author=Time Richardson| publisher=The Register| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2005/01/17/daily18.html| title=Liberty Media International, UnitedGlobal merge| date=January 18, 2005| author=Amy Bryer| publisher=Denver Business Journal| access-date=September 9, 2016}}

Liberty acquired German company Unitymedia in November 2009 for $5.2 billion.{{cite web| url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/liberty-global-to-buy-unitymedia-for-52-billion/| title=Liberty Global to Buy Unitymedia For $5.2 Billion| date=November 13, 2009| work=The New York Times| access-date=September 9, 2016}} In 2010, Liberty sold its stake in Jupiter Telecommunications, a Japanese telecommunications-services provider.{{cite web| url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2009/11/13/liberty-global-to-buy-unitymedia-for-52-billion/| title=Liberty Global to Sell Stake in Jupiter| author=Jeffrey McCraken, Daisuke Wakabayahi| date=January 25, 2010| publisher=The Wall Street Journal| access-date=September 9, 2016}}

On November 9, 2012, Liberty Global acquired Puerto Rico-based cable company OneLink Communications.

In January 2013, Liberty Global raised its stake in Belgium-based Telenet from 50.2% to 58%. In June 2013, Liberty Global acquired British cable group Virgin Media for $24 billion in cash and stock.{{cite web| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324445904578285401424416238| title=Liberty Global to Acquire Virgin Media|author1=Dana Cimilluca |author2=Lilly Vitorovich |author3=Anupreeta Das |author-link3=Anupreeta Das| date=Feb 5, 2013| publisher=The Wall Street Journal| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/feb/06/virgin-media-takeover-john-malone-liberty-global| title=Virgin Media bought for £15bn by Liberty Global| author=Juliette Garside| date=February 6, 2013| work=The Guardian| access-date=September 9, 2016}} The acquisition was noted by The New York Times as one of the 10 largest cable deals of all time.{{cite web| url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/liberty-global-in-talks-to-buy-virgin-media/| title=Liberty Global Reaches Deal for Virgin Media| author=Mark Scott, Eric Pfanner| date=February 5, 2013| work=The New York Times| access-date=September 9, 2016}} It was reported that this acquisition would make Liberty Global the largest broadband company in the world. Liberty agreed in October 2013 to sell Chellomedia for $1.035 billion except for its Benelux unit to AMC Networks.Tartaglione, Nancy. (October 28, 2013) [https://deadline.com/2013/10/amc-networks-to-pay-1-03b-for-liberty-globals-chellomedia-621506/ AMC Networks To Pay $1B For Liberty Global's Chellomedia]. Deadline.com. Accessed on October 28, 2013.

Liberty Global announced it would be acquiring Dutch cable company Ziggo for €10 billion in January 2014. The acquisition was completed in November 2014, when the services of UPC Nederland began to be merged into the new business.{{cite web|last=Briel |first=Robert |url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/01/27/liberty-global-to-acquire-ziggo/ |title=Liberty Global to acquire Ziggo for €10bn |publisher=Broadband TV News |date=January 27, 2014 |access-date=January 27, 2014}} Liberty Global and Discovery Communications became joint owners of All3Media in May 2014 in a £500 million joint deal.{{cite web| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/08/all3media-sold-discovery-liberty-global-deal| title=All3Media sold to Discovery and Liberty Global in deal worth £500m| author=Mark Sweney| date=May 8, 2014| work=The Guardian| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/discovery-liberty-global-complete-acquisition-735000| title=Discovery, Liberty Global Complete Acquisition of U.K. Producer All3Media| date=September 23, 2014| author=Georg Szalai| publisher=The Hollywood Reporter| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=https://next.ft.com/content/79f3b0ce-d6ac-11e3-907c-00144feabdc0| title=Liberty Global and Discover agree £550m deal for UK's All3media| author=Anne-Sylvaine Chassany, Henry Mance| date=May 8, 2014| work=Financial Times| access-date=September 9, 2016}} In July 2014, Liberty Global acquired a 6.4% stake in ITV plc, valued at £481 million.{{cite web|last=Clover |first=Julian |url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/07/17/liberty-global-makes-481m-investment-in-itv/ |title=Liberty Global makes £481m investment in ITV |publisher=Broadband TV News |date=July 17, 2014 |access-date=July 17, 2014}} Liberty's stake in the company increased to 9.9% in July 2015.{{cite web| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/31/liberty-global-itv-stake-takeover-virgin-media| title=Liberty Global increases ITV stake to 9.9% but denies takeover plan| date=July 31, 2015| work=The Guardian| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=https://next.ft.com/content/d7909568-3767-11e5-b05b-b01debd57852| title=John Malone's Liberty Global increased stake in ITV| author=Henry Mance| date=July 31, 2015| work=Financial Times| access-date=September 9, 2016}}

File:Liberty cable (LiLAC), Puerto Rico reconstruction sign in San Juan, Puerto Rico.jpg

In November 2015, Liberty Global announced its acquisition of Cable & Wireless Communications. The $5.3 billion deal expanded Liberty Global's presence into the Caribbean & greater Latin America.{{cite web | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-16/liberty-global-to-buy-cable-wireless-in-5-3-billion-deal | title=Liberty Global to Acquire Cable and Wireless in $5.3 Billion Deal | date=November 17, 2015 | publisher=Bloomberg | access-date=November 17, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/11/john-malones-liberty-global-acquires-cable-wireless-for-5-3-billion-1201627037/ | title=John Malone's Liberty Global Acquires Cable & Wireless for $5.3 Billion| author=Ali Jaafar| date=November 17, 2015| publisher=Deadline Hollywood| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/21/business/dealbook/cable-wireless-looks-past-john-malones-complex-deal.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FLiberty%20Global%20Inc.&_r=1| title=Cable & Wireless Looks Past John Malone's Complex Deal| author=Jennifer Saba| date=November 20, 2015| work=The New York Times| access-date=September 9, 2016}} The acquisition was completed in May 2016. In 2015, Liberty established the stock Liberty Latin American & Caribbean (LiLAC) focusing on Panama and the Caribbean with assets in Chile and Puerto Rico. The company also owned a 49% stake in majority state-owned Trinidadian telco, TSTT, which it was eventually obliged to dispose of as the company itself competes with Liberty's wholly owned Trinidadian subsidiary, FLOW Trinidad.{{cite web| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/liberty-global-to-buy-cable-wireless-communications-for-5-3-billion-1447699210| title=Liberty Global to Buy Cable & Wireless Communications for $5.3 Billion| author=Shalini Ramachandran| date=November 16, 2015| publisher=The Wall Street Journal| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=http://www.bsjbusiness.com/#!Liberty-Global-completes-acquisition-of-Cable-Wireless-Communications/cjds/573aac710cf290fabf53ac38| title=Liberty Global completes acquisition of Cable & Wireless Communications| author=Patrick Hoyos| date=May 17, 2016| publisher=The Broad Street Journal| access-date=September 9, 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124165401/http://www.bsjbusiness.com/#!Liberty-Global-completes-acquisition-of-Cable-Wireless-Communications/cjds/573aac710cf290fabf53ac38| archive-date=November 24, 2016| url-status=dead}} Liberty Global and Discovery Communications paid approximately $195 million for a 3.4% stake in Lions Gate Entertainment Group in November 2015. Liberty CEO Mike Fries joined the Lion's Gate board of directors as part of the acquisition.{{cite web| url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-lionsgate-sells-stake-to-john-malones-companies-discovery-liberty-global-20151110-story.html| title=Lionsgate sells 6.8% stake to John Malone's Liberty Global| author=Meg James, Ryan Faughnder| date=November 10, 2015| work=Los Angeles Times| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-30/malone-may-have-bigger-plans-beyond-lions-gate-purchase-of-starz| title=Malone May Have Bigger Plans Beyond Lions Gate Purchase of Starz| author=Gerry Smith| date=June 30, 2016| publisher=Bloomberg| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/11/business/dealbook/liberty-global-and-discovery-communications-take-stakes-in-lions-gate.html| title=Liberty Global Take Stakes in Lions Gate| author=Michael J. de la Marced| date=November 10, 2015| work=The New York Times| access-date=September 9, 2016}}

Liberty invested £7.5 million in global broadband cable network Technetix in July 2016.{{cite web| url=http://advanced-television.com/2016/07/05/liberty-global-invests-in-technetix/| title=Liberty Global invests in Technetix| date=July 5, 2016| publisher=Advanced Television| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=http://www.digitaltveurope.net/563142/liberty-global-ventures-invests-7-5m-in-technetix/| title=Liberty Global Ventures invests £7.5m in Technetix| date=July 5, 2016| publisher=Digital TV Europe| access-date=September 9, 2016}} In November 2016, Liberty Global's Virgin Media subsidiary released its Netflix and other app-enabled set-top V6 box.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/11/30/virgin-media-plays-catch-up-tv-v6-set-top-box-overhaul/|title=Virgin Media Plays Catch-Up on TV With V6 Set-Top Box Overhaul|newspaper=The Telegraph|first=Christopher |last=Williams|date=November 30, 2016|access-date=February 24, 2017}} Liberty Global was also ranked 88th on the Forbes "World's Most Innovative Companies" list in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/liberty-global/|title=#88 Liberty Global|work=Forbes|access-date=February 24, 2017}}

At the end of 2017, Liberty Global announced the decision to sell its operations in Austria, UPC Austria – the country's largest cable operator, to T-Mobile Austria for €1.9 billion, which was then rebranded Magenta Telekom.{{cite web|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2017/12/22/t-mobile-austria-to-acquire-upc-austria-from-liberty-global/|title=T-Mobile Austria to acquire UPC Austria from Liberty Global|access-date=9 November 2018|date=2017-12-22}}

In January 2018, Liberty Latin America spun off from Liberty Global.{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/41e69d3a-e43c-11e7-97e2-916d4fbac0da|title= TimesLiberty Global spin off targets Latin America|newspaper= Financial Times|date= January 2, 2018|access-date=13 November 2018}} The new publicly traded company, Liberty Latin America Ltd., operates independently throughout parts of the Caribbean and South America.{{cite web|url=https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/287569/liberty-global-lbtya-spins-off-latin-american-business|title=Liberty Global (LBTYA) Spins Off Latin American Business|access-date=13 November 2018}}

On May 9, 2018, Liberty Global announced the sale of its operations in Germany, Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic to Vodafone for €19 billion ($22.7 billion).{{cite web|url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2018/05/09/liberty-sells-to-vodafone-in-germany-and-three-cee-markets/|title=Liberty sells to Vodafone in Germany and three CEE markets|access-date=9 November 2018|date=2018-05-09}} The sale closed for $21.3 billion in July 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/vodafone-closes-213-billion-liberty-global-deal-1227891|title=Vodafone Closes $21.3 Billion Liberty Global Deal|date=July 31, 2019 |publisher=Hollywood Reporter|access-date=30 August 2019}} All of these operations, formerly named UPC (Unitymedia in Germany), were since rebranded to Vodafone. In December 2018, Liberty Global announced the sale of its DTH satellite TV operations in Hungary (UPC Direct), Czech Republic, Slovakia (in both named freeSAT) and Romania (Focus Sat) to M7 Group.{{Cite web|url=https://2zn23x1nwzzj494slw48aylw-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/12-21-Liberty-Global-to-Sell-DTH-Business.pdf|title=LIBERTY GLOBAL TO SELL EASTERN EUROPEAN DTH OPERATIONS}} Under M7 Group, Czech and Slovak operations were integrated with Skylink, Hungarian operations adopted Direct One name and logo, while Romanian operations retained its name, only changing its logo to match with its new parent.

In 2019, Liberty Global announced an initiative to offer broadband with speeds of 1 Gbps across several European cities through the company's GigaCities program.{{Cite web |url=https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2019/09/30/virgin-offer-gigabit-broadband-to-100000-southampton-homes/ |title=Virgin offer gigabit broadband to 100,000 Southampton homes |last=Clover |first=Julian |date=2019-09-30 |website=Broadband TV News |language=en-GB |access-date=2020-03-17}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.telecomtv.com/content/broadband/virgin-media-goes-gaga-over-gigabit-35866/ |title=Virgin Media goes gaga over gigabit |last=Lennighan |first=Mary |date=2019-07-25 |website=TelecomTV |language=en |access-date=2020-03-17}}

In August 2020, Liberty Global announced that it would be buying Sunrise Communications AG for $7.4 billion.

The company attempted to acquire Sunrise Communications multiple times; according to Mike Fries, the chief executive officer of Liberty Global, "It wasn't a question of 'is this a good deal?' only a matter of how it would get done".{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/231d798e-9dc9-4f31-ad51-3273ddce4a3c|title= Liberty Global to buy Sunrise in $7.4bn Swiss telecoms deal |work=Financial Times|last1=Nillson|first1=Patricia|last2=Fildes|first2=Nic|date=2020-08-12|access-date=2020-08-12}}

On the 11th November Sunrise became a subsidiary of Liberty Global.

In September 2021, Liberty Global announce the sale of its Polish operations to Iliad Group's subsidiary Play (P4) for $1.8bn.{{Cite web|last=Ramachandran|first=Naman|date=2021-09-22|title=Liberty Global Sells Polish Operations to Play in $1.8 Billion Deal – Global Bulletin|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/global/liberty-global-upc-poland-play-sale-1235071159/|access-date=2021-09-22|website=Variety|language=en-US}} The transaction was closed on 1 April 2022.{{cite web | url=https://media.upc.pl/184229-play-i-upc-polska-lacza-sily-aby-stworzyc-nowego-wiodacego-operatora-z-korzyscia-dla-klientow | title=Play i UPC Polska łączą siły, aby stworzyć nowego wiodącego operatora z korzyścią dla klientów }}

In July 2023, Liberty Global's shareholders voted overwhelmingly for Liberty Global to redomicile from the United Kingdom to Bermuda.{{Cite web |last=cchai@liberty |date=2023-07-14 |title=Liberty Global shareholders vote in favour of change of jurisdiction of incorporation |url=https://www.libertyglobal.com/liberty-global-shareholders-vote-in-favour-of-change-of-jurisdiction-of-incorporation/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Liberty Global |language=en-GB}} In November 2023, Liberty Global completed the redomicile.

In November 2024, Liberty Global announced the completion of the spin-off transaction of Sunrise. This transaction resulted in Sunrise becoming an independent public entity, operating autonomously in the Swiss telecommunications market. The move allowed Liberty Global shareholders to participate directly in Sunrise's future performance.{{Cite web |last=cchai@liberty |date=2024-11-09 |title=Liberty Global announces completion of Sunrise spin-off transaction |url=https://www.libertyglobal.com/liberty-global-announces-completion-of-sunrise-spin-off-transaction/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Liberty Global |language=en-GB}}

=Merger with Vodafone in the Netherlands=

In June 2015, Vodafone confirmed talks with Liberty Global focused on potential partnerships, but denied that a full merger was in the works.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-09-17/vodafone-liberty-global-deal-is-way-to-end-duel-real-m-a|website=Bloomberg L.P.|access-date=July 8, 2015 | first=Amy|last=Thomson|title=Vodafone-Liberty Global Deal Is Way to End Duel: Real M&A|date=September 17, 2014}}{{cite web| url=http://www.businessinsider.com/this-could-be-the-beginning-of-vodafones-break-up-2015-6| title=This could be the beginning of the end of Vodafone| author=Oscar Williams-Grut| date=June 5, 2015| publisher=Business Insider| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/vodafone-confirms-talks-with-liberty-global-but-quashes-talk-of-merger-10301653.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/vodafone-confirms-talks-with-liberty-global-but-quashes-talk-of-merger-10301653.html |archive-date=June 14, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live| title=Vodafone confirms talks with Liberty Global, but quashes talk of merger| author=Ben Chu| date=June 5, 2015| publisher=Independent| access-date=September 9, 2016}} Liberty Global invested in Guavus, a data analytics company, in September 2015.{{cite web| url=http://www.iotleague.com/liberty-global-invests-in-big-data-analytics-company-gauvus-a-step-closer-to-iot/| title=Liberty Global Invests in Big Data Analytics Company Gauvus, A Step Closer to IoT?| date=September 15, 2015| publisher=IoT League| access-date=September 9, 2016}} In February 2016, it was announced that Vodafone and Liberty Global would merge Dutch operations. Liberty's Dutch subsidiary, Ziggo, would work with Vodafone's mobile network.{{cite web| url=http://www.computerweekly.com/news/4500273156/Vodafone-and-Liberty-Global-to-merge-in-Netherlands| title=Vodafone and Liberty Global to merge in Netherlands| author=Alex Scroxton| date=February 16, 2016| publisher=Computer Weekly| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/12159015/Vodafone-and-Liberty-Global-announce-Dutch-tie-up.html| title=Vodafone and Liberty Global announce Dutch tie-up| author=Andrew Trotman, Kate Palmer| date=February 16, 2016| publisher=The Telegraph| access-date=September 9, 2016}} Vodafone paid Liberty €1 billion as part of the joint venture valued at €3.5 billion.{{cite web| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/liberty-global-plans-netherlands-joint-venture-with-vodafone-1455590304| title=Liberty Global, Vodafone Hook Up for Multibillion-Dollar Dutch Venture| author=Maarten Van Tartwijk, Simon Zekaria| date=February 16, 2016| publisher=The Wall Street Journal| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-16/vodafone-liberty-global-to-combine-dutch-mobile-phone-business| title=Vodafone, Liberty Global Merge Dutch Units to Take On KPN| publisher=Bloomberg|author1=Grace Huang |author2=Elco Van Groningen |author3=Kristen Schweizer | date=February 15, 2016| access-date=September 9, 2016}} The deal was approved by the European Commission in August 2016.{{cite web| url=http://advanced-television.com/2016/08/04/vodafone-liberty-global-welcome-dutch-merger-clearance/| title=Vodafone, Liberty Global welcome merger clearance| date=August 4, 2016| publisher=Advanced Television| access-date=September 9, 2016}} On 31 December 2016, the proposed merger of Liberty Global's and Vodafone Group's Dutch operations was completed, resulting in a joint venture called VodafoneZiggo Group Holding B.V.{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2016/12/31/liberty-global-completes-3-7b-netherlands-joint.html|title=Liberty Global Completes $3.7B Netherlands Joint-Venture Deal With Vodafone|publisher=Denver Business Journal|first1=Greg |last1=Avery|first2=Mark|last2=Harden|date=December 31, 2016|access-date=February 24, 2017}}

=Innovations and investments=

In 2013–2016, Liberty Global invested EUR 14.5 billion in infrastructure, including investments to bring high-speed internet to four million more European households through new build and upgrades.{{cite web|url=https://www.oxera.com/Latest-Thinking/Publications/Reports/2017/Liberty-Global-s-investment-in-Europe-Oxera-s-(1).aspx|title=Liberty Global's investment in Europe: Oxera's findings|access-date=9 November 2018}}

In October 2017, Liberty Global opened the Telenet Innovation Centre in Brussels, its second innovation hub alongside the Tech Campus near Amsterdam. The Innovation Center is focused on testing Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and mobile technologies, including the introduction and preparation of 5G networks.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaltveurope.net/754982/liberty-global-opens-telenet-innovation-centre/|title=Liberty Global opens Telenet Innovation Centre|date=October 6, 2017 |access-date=9 November 2018}}

=Video properties=

Liberty Global offers Netflix in 30 countries in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean{{Cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=2020-02-10|title=Netflix Inks Three-Year Renewal With John Malone's Liberty Global for Europe|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/netflix-liberty-global-three-year-europe-deal-extension-1203499120/|access-date=2020-08-28|website=Variety|language=en}} and other video-on-demand platforms as MaxDome in Germany, Play and Play More in Belgium, and MyPrime in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ireland, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

In 2017, Liberty Global partnered with affiliate Lionsgate and subsidiary premium channel Starz on a television series, The Rook.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/07/the-rook-series-starz-lionsgate-liberty-global-stephenie-meyer-stephen-garrett-1202138003/|title=Starz, Lionsgate & Liberty Global Team On Spy Thriller 'The Rook' With Stephenie Meyer, Stephen Garrett – TCA|date=July 28, 2017 |access-date=9 November 2018}} The show, which premiered in summer 2019, is adapted by Stephenie Meyer from the novel of the same name written by Daniel O'Malley.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/global/starz-twilight-stephenie-meyer-liberty-global-the-rook-1202509572/|title= Starz Orders Drama 'The Rook' From Stephenie Meyer and Lionsgate|date= July 28, 2017|access-date=9 November 2018}}

In February 2018, Liberty Global announced a partnership with Amazon Prime Video on the television series called The Feed, premiering in 2019. The show was co-produced in partnership with the Amazon Studios division and launched as an on-demand programme in Europe, Latin and North America.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-08/amazon-and-liberty-to-co-produce-dystopian-show-in-content-push|title=Amazon and Liberty to Co-Produce Dystopian Show|website=Bloomberg News |date=February 8, 2018 |access-date=9 November 2018}}

Horizon TV

Horizon TV is Liberty Global's flagship platform with more than 10 million first-generation Horizon TV devices sold.

Liberty Global launched Horizon TV, a box to stream to televisions, in 2012.{{cite web| url=http://www.fiercecable.com/story/liberty-global-deploys-horizon-tv-platform-samsung-intel-nds-technology/2012-09-07| title=Liberty Global deploys Horizon TV platform with Samsung, Intel, NDS technology| date=September 7, 2012| author=Steve Donohue| publisher=Fierce Cable| access-date=September 9, 2016}} H2, an upgraded version of the Horizon box, was launched in 2013. The new system included an upgraded remote control with a QWERTY keyboard. A secondary box connects wirelessly to the main device allowing TV, DVR and VoD streaming to multiple rooms in a subscriber's house.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaltveurope.net/102442/liberty-global-outlines-horizon-upgrade-plans-future-vision-and-lessons/|title=Liberty Global outlines Horizon upgrade plans, future vision and lessons » Digital TV Europe|date=2013-09-19}} Liberty partnered with ActiveVideo in 2013 to include ActiveVideo's CloudTV on the Horizon boxes.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaltveurope.net/99942/liberty-partners-with-activevideo-for-horizon/|title=Liberty partners with ActiveVideo for Horizon » Digital TV Europe|date=2013-09-12}}

Twitter was integrated into Horizon's mobile app library in 2016. The addition allowed live tweets to be overlaid onto the screen of a program being broadcast.{{cite web| url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/distribution/liberty-global-ties-twitter/402734| title=Liberty Global Ties in Twitter| author=Jeff Baumgartner| date=February 22, 2016| publisher=Multichannel News| access-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web| url=http://www.digitaltveurope.net/502651/liberty-global-adds-twitter-integration-to-horizon-platform/| title=Liberty Global adds Twitter integration to Horizon platform| date=February 22, 2016| publisher=Digital TV Europe| access-date=September 9, 2016}} Horizon TV was also launched in Austria in 2016, making it available in all three German-speaking countries where Liberty Global operates.{{cite web| url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2016/02/16/liberty-global-to-roll-out-horizon-tv-in-austria/| title=Liberty Global to roll out Horizon TV in Austria| date=February 16, 2016| publisher=Broadband TV News| access-date=September 9, 2016}}

In September 2018, Liberty Global announced the next-generation video platform Horizon 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/liberty-global-looks-to-regain-euro-video-momentum-with-horizon-4|title=Liberty Global Looks to Regain Euro Video Momentum with 'Horizon 4'|date=September 19, 2018 |access-date=9 November 2018}}

Operations and shareholdings

Liberty Global operates through the following subsidiaries and shareholdings:

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|

}}{{Cite news |last1=M |first1=Muvija |last2=Datta |first2=Tiyashi |date=2023-02-13 |title=Liberty Global takes 5% 'opportunistic' stake in Vodafone |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/liberty-global-takes-near-5-stake-britains-vodafone-group-2023-02-13/ |access-date=2023-02-14}}

Markets

=Americas=

Part of Liberty Global is separately listed as LiLAC (Liberty Latin America and Caribbean Group), operating in over 20 countries under the consumer brands VTR, FLOW, Cabletica, Liberty, Más Móvil and BTC, as well as having a sub-sea fiber network.

In January 2018, Liberty Latin America spun off the main company and began operating independently from Liberty Global.

Liberty Latin America's operations consist of Liberty Puerto Rico, a provider of pay-TV, Internet, and telephone services in Puerto Rico, and VTR, a Chile a cable provider of television, telephone, mobile, and internet services. Through the acquisition of Cable and Wireless Communications, Liberty Global has become the owner of the largest pay-TV and broadband provider in the Caribbean. In addition, the company also owns CWC's operations in the Seychelles named Cable and Wireless Seychelles.

=Europe=

Liberty Global serves six countries in Europe and is among the largest cable operators in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.{{cite news|author=Finance |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/01/20/cnvirgin20.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121062612/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/01/20/cnvirgin20.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 January 2007 |title=Virgin media launch to cost £20m |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=13 February 2012}}

==Merger of Virgin Media with O2 UK==

On 7 May 2020, it was announced that Liberty Global and Telefónica had been in talks to merge their UK businesses in a deal worth an estimated £31bn. The merger would see Virgin Media and O2 form a 50:50 joint venture, making the combined business one of the UK's largest entertainment and telecommunications companies, with annual revenues of approximately US$13.6 billion and over 46 million subs.{{Cite web|title=O2 UK and Virgin Media merger plans confirmed|url=https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2020/05/07/o2-uk-and-virgin-media-merger-plans-confirmed/|date=May 7, 2020|publisher=CommsUpdate|access-date=May 21, 2020}}

The merger was subject to customary regulatory approval and, if approved, was to be completed by mid-2021.{{Cite news|last=Sweney|first=Mark|date=2020-05-07|title=Virgin Media and O2 owners confirm £31bn mega-merger in UK|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/may/07/virgin-media-and-o2-owners-confirm-31bn-mega-merger-in-uk|access-date=2020-05-21|issn=0261-3077}} The merger was completed on 1 June 2021.{{cite news |last1=Fildes |first1=Nic |title=Newly merged Virgin Media O2 'ready to fire' at incumbent BT |url=https://www.ft.com/content/9329ed0e-6ba4-46ed-992c-2b9538507e36 |access-date=1 June 2021 |work=Financial Times |date=1 June 2021}}

References

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