Sinclair's Diamond securitization; New York's mobile sports betting approval

The Daily Digest highlights top news and exclusive insights on the technology, media and telecommunications sectors.

TOP NEWS

Sinclair's Diamond securitization could raise investor concerns, analyst says

Wells Fargo analyst Steven Cahall said Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc.'s assumption of Diamond Sports Holdings LLC's accounts receivable facility could mark the beginning of future capital commitments in the subsidiary that holds the company's regional sports networks business.

New York approves mobile sports betting for nine operators

FanDuel Inc., DraftKings Inc. and PointsBet Holdings Ltd. are among the sportsbooks that have been granted licenses for online sports wagering, which could kick off in the Empire State by the Super Bowl.

➤ Consumer Insights: Content most enjoyed on Hulu, 2021

Original TV programs have overtaken current season network TV with the largest share of users indicating it is the content they most enjoy on the service.

➤ Global Multichannel: Southeast Asia fixed broadband overview: COVID drives highest net adds in decade

The COVID-19 pandemic boosted Southeast Asia's fixed broadband market to reach 52.4 million subscribers in 2020 with about 8 million new subscribers, yielding the highest net additions in the region within the past 10 years.

➤ Multichannel Trends: Comcast, Sky take smart TV control

Combining its OS with the manufacturing know-how of established original equipment manufacturers, Comcast Corp. is making a noticeable entry into the smart TV market, bolstering its streaming video value proposition.

➤ Technology: Apple product shipments hit new Q3 record in Q3'21

Shipments across all Apple Inc. product segments tracked grew 16.1% year on year against a backdrop of supply constraints.

SECTOR HIGHLIGHTS

Technology

* Tim Cook says Apple is looking into cryptocurrency

* Bottomline Technologies acquires Bora Payments Systems for $15M

Internet and OTT

* Roblox skyrockets after Halloween outage spooked analysts

Telecommunications

* Sweden's Hexatronic to invest in new US plant

* Viasat, Intercorp Perú to provide community internet service in LatAm, Caribbean

Film and TV

* ViacomCBS, Gray Television renew CBS network affiliate agreements

McAfee Corp.'s going-private transaction ranks among the most expensive cybersecurity deals for the year to date, though its valuation looks more measured against some of the red-hot multiples seen earlier this year.