The Carlyle Group Acquires Broadcast Text International, a Provider of Translation, Subtitling and Dubbing Services for Broadcasters

Carlyle Investment Will Build on Recent Growth To Further Expand International Operations

London, UK - Global Alternative Asset Manager The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) today announced the acquisition of Broadcast Text International (“BTI”) , a provider of translation, subtitling and dubbing services for broadcasters from Valedo Partners.

Capital for this investment will come from Carlyle Europe Technology Partners II L.P., a Pan-European small buyout fund focused on companies that are driven by technology and with a strong track record of investing in media and creative services.   Further terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Per Skoglund, Associate Director at Carlyle Europe Technology Partners, said: “BTI has established itself as a strong business with an excellent client list.   The management team has delivered sustained growth by expanding the product offering, while maintaining high standards of quality and service. We look forward to partnering with BTI to further develop the company’s international footprint. ”

BTI has a blue-chip client list in the TV channel and production world. It includes BBC, Netflix, HBO, Discovery Networks, VMMA, SBS Nordic and a large number of local broadcasters in the Nordics and Benelux regions.  BTI’s annual output - including more than 120,000 hours of subtitling and 20,000 hours of voiceover and dubbing  - provides access to products in more than 25 languages for clients who are based across the UK, in the Nordics, Benelux and Central & Eastern Europe.

Michael Wand, Head of Carlyle Europe Technology Partners, commented: “CETP and Carlyle have a long and successful history of media technology investments which is also clearly a focus for our current fund CETP II.  As a small-cap TMT investor in Europe I am also pleased that we have expanded our investment footprint to Scandinavia again.   We believe the combination of Carlyle’s global footprint and its considerable experience gained through investing in media and creative companies such as Vubiquity and The Mill will help drive significant growth and value creation for BTI.” 

Björn Lifvergren, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BTI commented: “We are excited to have Carlyle partnering with us as we continue building on our strong reputation . Carlyle’s backing will also support our plans to further internationalise our business, and expand our product offering and client list. We look forward to continuing to grow this incredibly talented team and company further.”

Carlyle was advised on the transaction by Advokatfirman Delphi, Castlegreen Partners, KPMG and OC&C.

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About The Carlyle Group
The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global alternative asset manager with $180 billion of assets under management across 118 funds and 81 fund of funds vehicles as of June 30, 2013. Carlyle's purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, many of whom are public pensions. Carlyle invests across four segments – Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Market Strategies and Global Solutions – in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. Carlyle has expertise in various industries, including: aerospace, defense & government services, consumer & retail, energy, financial services, healthcare, industrial, technology & business services, telecommunications & media and transportation. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,400 people in 34 offices across six continents.

Web: www.carlyle.com  
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About BTI
Broadcast Text International  (BTI) is one of Europe’s leading providers of subtitling, dubbing and access services throughout Europe. BTI operates 15 offices across Europe, serving a dozen international broadcasters and more than 50 local broadcasters, VOD/OTT providers, production companies and video distributors with dubbing, subtitling and access services in more than 30 languages. Founded in Sweden, 1998, BTI has a proven track record of growing into new markets with existing clients.

Media Contacts

Broadcast Text International
Björn Lifvergren
+46 8 458 00 60
+46 70 6312822
björn.lifvergren@broadcastttext.com

The Carlyle Group
Catherine Armstrong
+44 20 7894 1632
Catherine.Armstrong@carlyle.com

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