Total merger and acquisition value in the digital entertainment and education sector worldwide rose 20% in 1997 to over $5.6bn. Transaction activity was also up 15% to a total of 194 deals in the year, according to research by Broadview Associates. The three most active acquirers in the sector in the past three years have been Cendant Software, nee CUC Software, Eidos and Electronic Arts, who have all bought 11 companies. The Learning Co, previously Softkey, has made 10 acquisitions. Broadview said that since 1995 it has tracked close to 500 deals worth a total of $14bn in this sector. On the back of a strong fourth quarter, Broadview forecasts continued high activity in 1998 with even greater total value as some of the recent acquirers become targets themselves, commented Ben Thomkins, managing director at Broadview.
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