Espace Media soon to be wholly owned by Tamedia
Last year, Tamedia acquired an 80 percent stake in Espace Media; through the purchase of additional shares, its stake has now been increased to 98.56 percent. Tamedia’s top management has dismissed speculation about a future close collaboration between *Bund* and *Tages-Anzeiger*.
The purchase of an 80 percent stake in Espace Media Groupe was the most important investment for the Tamedia media group last year, said Chairman of the Board of Directors Pietro Supino to the media on Wednesday. The Bern-based media company will soon belong entirely to the Zurich-based company: The purchase of further shares offered by minority shareholders has already increased the stake to 98.56 percent. Tamedia is aiming to hold 100 percent. With the takeover of Espace Media Groupe, Tamedia has become a Swiss media group virtually overnight, said Supino. The Chairman of the Board of Directors was vague about the consequences of the purchase, particularly for the future of Berner Zeitung and Der Bund. He reiterated the statement already made that synergies in the services and publishing areas would be examined first. Martin Kall vigorously rejected the scenario outlined last weekend in the Sonntag newspaper, according to which the Bund and Tages-Anzeiger could soon share the mantle: there is not even a project group on this topic.
The continuation of the "Berner Modell", which refers to the Berner Zeitung and the Bund under the same publishing umbrella, continues to depend on two factors, Supino emphasized. On the one hand, it is crucial whether they can position themselves differently enough editorially, and on the other hand, they must be economically profitable. A fundamental decision would have to be made at the end of the year. Tamedia's management was pleased that the Bund was in the black for the first time in a long time. However, it was clear that the company will hardly be satisfied with this result in the long term.
For the time being, however, it is important to familiarize the different strengths and cultures with each other. Innovations must also be developed through the transfer of know-how and new forms of cooperation in publishing houses, editorial offices and production.
Supino cited the launch of the commuter newspaper News in partnership with the Basler Zeitung and the joint online platform "Newsnetz", which will be launched on August 8, as examples. (SDA/cs)
The continuation of the "Berner Modell", which refers to the Berner Zeitung and the Bund under the same publishing umbrella, continues to depend on two factors, Supino emphasized. On the one hand, it is crucial whether they can position themselves differently enough editorially, and on the other hand, they must be economically profitable. A fundamental decision would have to be made at the end of the year. Tamedia's management was pleased that the Bund was in the black for the first time in a long time. However, it was clear that the company will hardly be satisfied with this result in the long term.
For the time being, however, it is important to familiarize the different strengths and cultures with each other. Innovations must also be developed through the transfer of know-how and new forms of cooperation in publishing houses, editorial offices and production.
Supino cited the launch of the commuter newspaper News in partnership with the Basler Zeitung and the joint online platform "Newsnetz", which will be launched on August 8, as examples. (SDA/cs)
