Trident Microsystems and NXP Complete Transaction to Combine Set-Top Box and Television Systems Business Lines

SANTA CLARA, Calif., and EINDHOVEN, Netherlands, Feb. 8, 2010 -- Trident Microsystems, Inc.  and NXP Semiconductors today announced the closing of Trident's acquisition of NXP's television systems and set-top box business lines, a transaction first announced on Oct. 5, 2009.  The integration of NXP's business lines with Trident immediately creates a global leader in the digital home entertainment segment, establishing Trident as one of the top three providers to both the television and set-top box markets.

If revenue from the newly acquired business lines had been included, Trident estimates that it would have achieved revenue of approximately $500 million in calendar 2009, with approximately 60% attributable to television and 40% to set-top box sales.  The combination of Trident's existing business with NXP's television systems and set-top box business lines now provides Trident, in which NXP has received a 60% share interest, with an extensive portfolio of consumer IP.  This portfolio comprises over 2,000 granted and in-process patents including motion estimation/motion compensation and conditional access as well as advanced 45nm system-on-chip (SoC) technology.  The complementary portfolio will enable Trident to offer an extensive range of innovative semiconductor solutions to the digital home entertainment market, which Trident estimates will reach $5 billion in 2010.

"Integrating NXP's set-top box and digital television business lines with Trident immediately delivers the size and economies of scale needed to lead this market, with the broad product portfolio, IP expertise and operational infrastructure to support growth," said Sylvia Summers, chief executive officer, Trident Microsystems, Inc.

Both the digital TV and set-top box markets share a significant amount of intellectual property. Through this acquisition, Trident can further accelerate innovation by leveraging an expanded IP portfolio, SoC design expertise, competitive cost structure and deep relationships throughout the TV and set-top box OEM customer base and ecosystem.  These attributes will enable Trident to extend its TV leadership position and become a strong challenger to the incumbent leaders in the set-top box business.

"The combination of Trident's DTV and NXP's STB and TV lines is an important milestone for both NXP and Trident and also for our customers," said Rick Clemmer, president and chief executive officer, NXP Semiconductors. "Platforms in the digital home entertainment market are converging, and as a result, our customers value the tremendous innovation that is made possible by combining best-in-class IP for both TV and set-top box products under one roof."

Trident has undertaken a strategy to expand its applicable markets. In 2009, Trident acquired select product lines from Micronas, designed to strengthen its position in the digital television market. With the acquisition of the NXP set-top box and television lines, Trident has delivered on its promise to enter the set-top box market and is committed to expanding on the strong foothold NXP has established with its customers to become a leader in set-top box.

NXP and Trident intend to now cooperate in the development of complementary end-to-end solutions in other selected high-growth technology areas, including NXP's silicon tuner product lines.  Trident will be fabless and have access to state-of-the-art technology and manufacturing capacity from NXP's manufacturing facilities, as well as the partner foundries and subcontractors of both companies. As a result of the terms and conditions agreed between the parties, NXP will account for its investment in Trident under the equity method.    

Sylvia Summers remains the CEO of Trident. Christos Lagomichos, former EVP of NXP's Home business unit, is president. Pete Mangan serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Saeid Moshkelani will lead research and development as executive vice president.  

Trident now employs approximately 1,700 people worldwide, across 12 countries. Through its network of centers of excellence in North America and Europe, and its extensive engineering resources worldwide, Trident is structured to continue its dedication to customer support for its television and set-top box customers.

About Trident Microsystems:

Trident Microsystems, Inc., with headquarters in Santa Clara, California, is a leading force in the digital home entertainment market, delivering an extensive range of innovative multimedia semiconductor solutions for digital televisions and set-top boxes — at the heart of today's digital home. Trident has been making bold moves to expand its market, deepen and more fully leverage its Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio, and drive the evolution of the "connected home." Its acquisition of NXP Semiconductors' set-top box and television business lines in 2010 establishes Trident as one of the top three semiconductor providers to both the TV and set-top box markets. For further information about Trident and its products, please consult the Company's web site: http://www.tridentmicro.com.

About NXP Semiconductors:

NXP Semiconductors provides High Performance Mixed Signal and Standard Product solutions that leverage its leading RF, Analog, Power, Digital Processing and manufacturing expertise. These innovations are used in a wide range of automotive, industrial, consumer, lighting, medical, computing and identification applications. Headquartered in Europe, the company has about 29,000 employees working in more than 30 countries and posted sales of USD 5.4 billion in 2008.