Orient Hontai Finalizing Takeover Of Spanish Broadcaster Mediapro

Chinese investment fund Orient Hontai Capital reportedly "is close" to finalizing the purchase of a majority stake in Spanish broadcaster and production outfit Mediapro, according to Stuart Thomson of DIGITAL TV EUROPE. Orient expects to finalize the acquisition of stakes held by Torreal, Televisa and Gerad Romy to take a 53.5% stake in Mediapro, which holds the rights to La Liga and Champions League football in Spain and recently acquired the rights to Serie A in Italy. Private equity firm Torreal holds a 22.5% stake, with Televisa holding 19% and founding partner Gerad Romy holding a 12% stake. Co-Founders Jaume Roures and Tatxo Benet will retain their 12% stakes in the Barcelona-based company and "will continue to lead its management." News of Mediapro’s deal with Orient "first emerged last year, but the agreement has yet to be completed." The estimated value of the deal is reportedly about €900M ($1.12B). Mediapro "is likely to post revenues" of about €1.6B ($2B) this year (DIGITAL TV EUROPE, 2/14).