Sky Deutschland Buys Plazamedia, Sport1 Stake

UNTERFÖHRING: Sky Deutschland has purchased Constantin Sport's production company Plazamedia, along with acquiring a minority stake in Sport1 and Constantin Sport Marketing.

The purchase price for the transactions is around 57.5 million euros ($78.6 million) on a cash and debt-free basis. The acquisition of Plazamedia significantly enhances Sky's production capacities, while the minority stake in Sport1/Constantin Sport Marketing allows for an investment in what will be an important business partner of Plazamedia. In addition to its television-channel business, Sport1/Constantin Sport Marketing also operates the German online portal Sport1.de, as well as an ad-sales business.

Brian Sullivan, the CEO of Sky Deutschland, said: “Plazamedia is one of our long-term and highly respected business  partners. Today’s agreement marks the next step towards the full integration of key customer-facing operations. Following the in-sourcing of Premiere Star, Creation Club, logistics provider Loxxess, and Premium Media Solutions, Plazamedia will allow us to accelerate innovation on-screen, and leverage future technology  developments, such as Ultra HD. It also opens opportunities for synergies and supports us to further drive efficiencies.”