Incumbent Telecom Italia (TI) is considering its options for TV channel La7, according to a media report citing TI chairman Franco Bernabe. He said that TI is advised by Mediobanca on the matter.
La7 is a TV channel run by Telecom Italia Media (TI…
Incumbent Telecom Italia (TI) is considering its options for TV channel La7, according to a media report citing TI chairman Franco Bernabe. He said that TI is advised by Mediobanca on the matter.
La7 is a TV channel run by Telecom Italia Media (TI Media), the listed broadcaster controlled by TI.
The report mentioned publishing house Gruppo Editioriale L’Espresso as a potential buyer for the asset.
Earlier this month TI had denied media reports claiming the company might want to acquire the outstanding shares in La7 parent Telecom Italia Media it does not already own, and delist the business in a next step. Currently TI owns around 78% of Telecom Italia Media shares.
Other reports had suggested a sale of TI Media, suggesting BSkyB or Bertelsmann might be interested.
La7 is reportedly the largest free-to-air TV broadcaster that is neither owned by Italy’s state broadcaster RAI nor by Mediaset, the company owned by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
According to Telecom Italia’s 2010 annual report, La7 closed 2010 with an average daily audience share of 3.09%, an increase of 2.3% compared with 2009 figures.
