Mediaset Buys Stake in ProSiebenSat.1 Media

Mediaset has acquired a 9.6 percent stake in the German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 Media.

Pier Silvio Berlusconi, CEO of Mediaset since 2001, said: “The friendly acquisition of a stake in ProSiebenSat.1 is a long-term choice, aimed at creating value with an increasingly international outlook. It strengthens our existing industrial relationship. Mediaset is proud to invest in the future of free-to-air European television. And it is with the future precisely in mind, that the Mediaset Group, by becoming a shareholder of ProSiebenSat.1, confirms its esteem for the current management.

“The rapid process of globalization that is determining the international scenario is such that European media companies like us need to join forces if we are to continue to compete, or even just resist, in terms of our European cultural identity, eventual attacks by the global giants.

“It is in this spirit of collaboration and shared vision that Mediaset, the leader in Italy and Spain, has decided to invest in ProSiebenSat.1. An investment that, we are sure, will create tangible value for both groups.”

Max Conze, CEO of ProSiebenSat.1 Media, commented: “We welcome Gruppo Mediaset’s investment and see this as a vote of confidence in our strategy and the team.”

Mediaset Italia and Mediaset España have had a strong relationship with ProSiebenSat.1 in the European Media Alliance (EMA) for five years.