A group of Slovak and Czech oligarchs are reportedly interested in buying regional media and entertainment company Central European Media Enterprises, the Slovak Spectator reported on November 8.
In July, Czech Republic-based broadcaster CME announced the divestiture of its leading Croatian and Slovenian TV stations to United Group's Slovenia Broadband for €230mn ($262.5mn) in cash to pay down debt.
Partners from the management of the J&T group, the Penta group, the owner of the PPF group Petr Kellner and Daniel Kretinsky of EPH holding could join forces to buy Slovak TV channel Markiza, Czech TV Nova and some 30 other TV channels in four countries.
Talks are informal at the moment, the news portal said. In addition, CME’s majority shareholder Time Warner has not announced plans to sell the TV stations.
The US company is reportedly expecting €2bn, an amount which is too high for any single Czech or Slovak oligarch. That is the reason the Czech and Slovak oligarchs could join forces for the acquisition.
EPH representatives declined to comment on the speculation.
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