Discovery ‘interested in Prima TV takeover’

A report in the Romanian press claims Discovery Communications’s spending spree could be set to continue with the acquisition of free-TV broadcaster Prima TV.

The Romanian channel group is said to be on the block and local news site evz.ro reported that Discovery was among those interested in buying it from current parent SBS Broadcasting. No price on a deal was given.

The report cited sources who wished to remain anonymous and also noted Swiss cable operator RCS & RDS and Antenna Group had also kicked Prima’s tires.

Discovery has been busy buying up channels in Europe in the past few years, notably acquiring the SBS business in Scandinavia for US$1.7 billion to launch SBS Discovery Media earlier this year.

It also paid €170 million (US$225 million) to buy into TF1 channels Eurosport, Histoire, TV Breizh, Ushuaïa TV and Stylia and last week indicated it was planning to speed up plans to take a controlling stake in Eurosport.

Others deal saw it pay an undisclosed amount for Egypt-based Takhayal Entertainment, which operates Middle Eastern food network Fatafeat and take a 20% stake in French pay TV firm Televista.