Media acquisitions dropped 20% in 2008 because the stalled economy hobbled many deals, MediaDailyNews reports, citing a report from investment bank DeSilva + Phillips. The number of acquisitions declined to 108 last year from 135 in 2007, while the dollar amount plunged 80% to $2 billion from $9.6 billion in 2007. The biggest deal to be canceled was the planned $6.7 billion sale of British trade publisher Informa to Providence Equity Partners Ltd., Carlyle Group and Blackstone Group LP.
—Aimee Picchi