Mediaset, de Mol and Goldman Sachs buy Endemol from Telefonica for €3.4 billion.

 

Mediaset, of Silvio Berlusconi, joined by former Endemol’s founder John de Mol, one of the top 500 richest man in the world, and Goldman Sachs Group bought Endemol from Telefonica for a deal valued at €3.4 billion. Telefonica’s 75% shares amount to €2.63 billion. Endemol produced more than 300 shows in 2006, including Big Brother and Deal or No Deal, Loft Story, Star Academy or Fear Factor.

First comments :
- Telefonica bought Endemol in 2000 for €5.5 billion. So there is a tax loss there!
- Telefonica refocuses on its core business, away from media. A new acquisition in perspective? Telecom Italia?
- Endemol’s top management may well be shaken : Stephane Courbit, head of Endemol France was leading a competing bid. Peter Bazalgette, chief creative officer of Endemol’s worldwide business, could also leave.
- De Mol wants to be back on the field and may bring in new ideas.
- Mediaset has an estimated 43% market share in Italy. This acquisition supports their international expansion. They had last year failed in a takeover bid against ProSiebenSat.1