Cisco apparently in talks to buy NDS for $5 billion
Israeli-based NDS, which develops software for multichannel television networks is apparently in advanced talks with Cisco Systems to be acquired for a mind-boggling $5 billion.
Founded in 1988 and headquartered in London, NDS is owned in part by News Corp (51%) and Permira private equity fund (49%). The deal's value is apparently 35% higher than what NDS was valued at when it delisted from the stock exchange in 2009 according to a report by Israel's Calcalist financial newspaper.
NDS specialises in the development of interactive systems for secure delivery of media and entertainment to digital TVs and set-top boxes and their flagship product is an encryption and conditional access system called VideoGuard. Officials at NDS in Jerusalem could not be reached for comment regarding the deal.