Loan seems secured: MFE prepares ProSiebenSat.1 takeover

MediaForEurope (MFE) already holds 29.99 per cent of the shares in ProSiebenSat.1 SE, making it the media group's largest shareholder. According to media reports, Silvio Berlusconi's company has now created the financial conditions to realise a complete takeover of ProSiebenSat.1.

There has long been speculation in Milan that MFE could take control of the German media group in 2025. In November, MFE increased its stake to just under 30 per cent and is now preparing an offer that would give the company a majority stake in ProSiebenSat.1.

How Reuters Silvio Berlusconi, CEO of MFE, is said to have secured a loan totalling EUR 3.4 billion to finance the takeover. It is still unclear whether the entire sum will be used exclusively for the acquisition of the remaining shares in ProSiebenSat.1. MFE is apparently also considering investments in other markets, including the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal.

According to media reports, the reason why no official takeover bid has been submitted so far is due to the current situation in Germany. The political uncertainty caused by possible new elections and the economic stagnation are making it difficult to realise the deal. In addition, MFE is demanding more initiative from ProSiebenSat.1 in order to create the structural conditions for a takeover.

In the past, MFE had repeatedly criticised the management of ProSiebenSat.1. With the takeover, MFE aims to focus the German media company more strongly on television and streaming. However, other business areas are to be discontinued.