T-Mobile closes Layer3 TV acquisition

US mobile telco T-Mobile US has completed the previously-announced acquisition of Denver-based television innovator Layer3 TV. The Layer3 TV team has joined T-Mobile and will drive the telco’s initiative to launch a disruptive new TV service in 2018.

In December 2017, the self-styled ‘Un-carrier’ unveiled its plans to ‘Un-carrier your TV’, fuelled by the talent and technology from Layer3 TV. “The reaction was overwhelming. Fans shared the news so much on social media that it was seen more than half a billion times – coinciding with a drop in Charter and Comcast stock on the day. Consumers are clearly fed up with Big Cable and Satellite TV, America’s #1 most hated industry,” says T-Mobile.

“We know people love their TV, but hate their TV providers. But, the reaction to our announcement last month took even me by surprise. People are ready for choice and change! Well, good news ‘cause that’s exactly what we’re gonna bring,” says John Legere, President and CEO of T-Mobile. “I can’t wait to take the fight to Big Cable and Satellite TV on behalf of consumers everywhere!”

According to T-Mobile, the mobile Internet is the Internet now, and that’s causing a huge wave of tech convergence, where wireless, wireline and cable technologies and capabilities are all coming together. “With the introduction of 5G, that’s all going to massively accelerate, which makes now the right time for T-Mobile to disrupt the entertainment space,” says the company. “T-Mobile is creating TV for people who love TV and that will work over any Internet connection – landline or mobile, even those slower ones from AT&T and Verizon,” it explains.

T-Mobile’s new TV team will be led by Jeff Binder, CEO of Layer3 TV, who has joined T-Mobile as an Executive Vice President and part of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting to T-Mobile’s Chief Operating Officer, Mike Sievert. Binder is joined by nearly 200 Layer3 TV employees, including his executive leadership team: Lindsay Gardner, former President of Distribution at Fox; Dave Fellows, former CTO of Comcast and AT&T Broadband; Amos Smith, former SVP and CFO of Time Warner Cable Residential Services; and Gregg Grigaitis, former SVP Products of Suddenlink.