Telefonica poised for 100% control of Canal Plus?
June 5, 2014
From David Del Valle in Madrid
Telefonica is reportedly in talks with Mediaset Spain to buy its 22 per cent stake in the Spanish pay TV platform Canal Plus for around €350 million.
If completed this buy will mean Telefonica will control 100 per cent of the company following this week’s the acquisition of a 56 per cent stake in the platform for €750 million to raise its share to 78 per cent.
Telefonica would have a free hand to integrate TV, broadband and telephony in attractive offers through its brand Movistar Fusion at better prices.
This latest Telefonica attempt to control Canal Plus will raise controversy in the market as Vodafone and Orange have already complained on the grounds that it will breach free competition.