In 2011, HTC purchased Beats by Dr Dre for $300 million. Now, Beats purchased 25% of its shares from HTC from $150 million.
According to The Next Web, HTC still remains the largest single shareholder from the outside with 25% ownership of Beats. This means that Beats audio tech will still remain in HTC smartphones.
The first HTC handset to sport Beats audio technology was the Sensation XE. It then landed on other handsets such as the One S and One X.
So why did Beats by back 25% of its shares from the Taiwanese phone maker? On HTC’s website, a post reads, “HTC and Beats today announced a realignment of their business agreement that provides Beats with more flexibility for global expansion.”
It’s likely that Beats would like to have the freedom to pursue other opportunities since HTC did post disappointing earnings for this year. However, it’s still good news that Beats will continue to be a part of HTC handsets.
What do make of Beats buying 25% of its shares back from HTC? Give us your thoughts.