AT&T Selling Video Services Business in Latin America

AT&T logo on Whitacre Tower
(Image credit: AT&T)

AT&T said it agreed to sell its Vrio Corp. business unit to Group Werthein.

Vrio provides live and on-demand video services via DirecTV Latin America, Sky Brasil and DirecTV Go.

AT&T has been selling off its video companies--including WarnerMedia and DirecTV--in order to focus on its phone and broadband business,

AT&T spent big to build up its TV businesses and has been taking losses as it divests.

Also Read:  AT&T Lost 473,000 Premium Video Subscribers in 2d Quarter

The company did not disclose how much it was getting in the Vrio sale, but said the transaction will result in a $4.6 billion impairment, including $2.1 billion related to foreign currency--in its second quarter earnings. 

Second-quarter earnings will be announced Thursday.

“This transaction will further allow us to sharpen our focus on investing in connectivity for customers,” said Lori Lee, CEO AT&T Latin America. “We remain committed to Latin America through our wireless business in Mexico and services for multinational corporations operating in the region.”

Also Read: AT&T Wants To Be Premier Broadband Provider

AT&T and Grupo Werthein are committed to a smooth transition and a seamless customer experience. Vrio subscribers will continue to have access to premium content and can expect the same services, channel lineup, content offerings and customer care experience.

“Our vision of the future is to maximize these leading entertainment brands in Latin America, maintaining their leadership and increasing their value proposition by investing in technology and content aligned with the viewing habits of each one of the subscribers, including the next generation of consumers,” said Dario Werthein, shareholder, Grupo Werthein.

Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.