Ascent Media to sell Visiontext to SDI Media

Ascent Media said Monday that it has signed an agreement to sell its subtitling business, Visiontext, to SDI Media, a subtitling and language dubbing provider for feature films and television shows.

Acquired by Ascent Media in 2000, Visiontext, which operates from offices in the United Kingdom and Los Angeles, is also the leading supplier of subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing in the UK commercials market. 

After the acquisition, SDI will continue to service Visiontext’s existing customer base.

“This sale is a first step toward creating a strategic alliance with SDI Media,” said Jose Royo, CEO of Ascent Media Group. “Over the long-tem, we will build on this foundation to bring greater value to all our clients.”

“As a thriving brand, Visiontext will strengthen SDI Media’s position as market leader,” said Maggie Nuttall, Managing Director, Visiontext. “Our clients will also benefit tremendously from this move to SDI Media and their extended relationship with Ascent Media.”

SDI Media, owned by private equity firm Elevation Partners, is a leading provider of subtitling and language dubbing services to the entertainment industry. With major operations in Europe, Asia and North America, SDI has the capability to provide any language version for all distribution formats (e.g. DVD, Broadcast, Theatrical, Interactive Games, and the Internet).