Quick Hits

Outdoor Hires New Accountants

Temecula, Calif. — Outdoor Channel Holdings , parent of the Outdoor Channel cable network, recently revealed that it has dismissed its long-time independent public accountant firm J.H. Cohn , replacing it with Big Four accounting firm

According to published reports, Outdoor Channel made the move because Ernst & Young has greater experience in the media industry.

According to the Securities & Exchange Commission filing, J.H. Cohn had been the channel’s accounting firm since 1999. In the filing, Outdoor Channel said it had no disputes with J.H. Cohn on any matter of accounting principles or practice.

Outdoor Channel dismissed J.H. Cohn on Sept. 21.

Viacom Sets $750 Million Debt Offering

New York — Viacom said last week that it has initiated a $750 million debt offering, proceeds which will be used to pay down debt. The media giant said it will sell $500 million in 6.125% senior notes due 2017 and $250 million in 6.75% senior debentures due 2037. The offering was expected to close on Oct. 5.

Two J-Com Units to Merge

Tokyo — Jupiter Entertainment , a unit of Japanese cable company Jupiter Telecommunications (J-Com), said last week that it will merge with another J-Com unit, video-on-demand content provider Jupiter VOD Co.

Jupiter Entertainment, which will be the surviving entity, operates the Movie Plus Channel and LaLa TV, which it provides to cable companies, Sky Perfect TV and IP multicast broadcasters.

Jupiter Entertainment said the merger would create synergies in content acquisition, programming and marketing activities within the organization. The merger is tentatively set to close Nov. 1.