Producer of Big Brother and Deal or No Deal, Endemol, has been sold to a consortium that includes original founder John de Mol and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
A group led by Italian television producer Mediaset is to buy 75% from Spanish telecom group Telefónica for €2.6 billion, and has committed to at least €25 per share for the remaining 25% share, meaning it would pay a total of €3.4 billion for Endemol.
De Mol originally sold the company to Telefonica in 2000 for €5.5 billion. It then floated 25% of the company on the Dutch stock exchange in 2005.
Mediaset, owned in part by Berlusconi, is joined in the consortium by Mediacinco Cartera SL, Mediaset's Spanish division Gestevision Telecinco, Goldman Sachs and de Mol's investment vehicle, Cyrte Fund.
It outbid a rival offer led by head of Endemol France, Stephane Courbit, as well as a Mexican television company.
More: Media, Broadcasting
More Media News
Satellite TV News
Sky to add Channel 4's 4oD, More4 HD4oD arrival means Sky will offer catch-up TV from all the major UK broadcasters.
Cable News
ITV HD channels finally launch on VirginITV2 HD, ITV3 HD and ITV4 HD expand to cable TV after multi-year Sky exclusive.
Freeview News
Freeview 4G interference body launchesThe at800 body launches live trials of 4G interference in the West Midlands.
Video on Demand
Sky Sports iPad app adds 20 camera anglesSky Sports 360 will launch in time for the Champions League final.
