Deal tracker: Media, telecom M&A activity grows 7.5% YOY in December 2021

M&A deal volume among U.S. and Canadian media and telecommunications companies grew 7.5% year over year in December 2021.

There were 115 deal announcements with disclosed transaction values in December 2021, compared to 111 deals announced in November 2021. The sector had 107 deals in December 2020.

The home entertainment software industry saw the largest deal of the month with Vivid Seats Inc. acquiring fantasy sports platform developer Betcha Sports Inc. for a total consideration of $65 million. Vivid issued equity worth $25 million up front and closed the deal Dec. 13, 2021. The remaining $40 million will be paid in earnouts comprising a mix of cash and equity. The companies did not disclose the advisers for the transaction.

Comscore Inc.'s deal to acquire marketing analytics and measurement company Shareablee Inc. for $45.0 million ranked second for December. Under the transaction, Comscore issued 9 million common shares and will pay certain former holders of Shareablee up to an aggregate of $8.6 million over three years after closing, subject to conditions set forth in the merger agreement. Both parties did not disclose any financial advisers for the deal.

Allen Media Broadcasting LLC's agreement to acquire three digital TV stations from Woods Communications Corp. for $28.5 million was No. 3 on the list. The transaction includes WCOV-TV, WIYV and digital low-power television service WALE-LD. The companies did not provide details for financial advisers.