Ringier swallows Bernese radio BE 1
The Zurich-based media company Ringier is acquiring 80 percent of the shares in the Bernese broadcaster Radio BE 1. The seller is the NZZ subsidiary Freie Presse Holding. The remaining shares will remain with the previous owner Publigroupe. No details of the purchase price were disclosed.
Zurich-based media company Ringier is acquiring an 80% stake in Bern-based broadcaster Radio BE 1. The seller is NZZ subsidiary Freie Presse Holding. It is selling its shares as the new RTVA stipulates that a company may own a maximum of two licensed stations. No details of the purchase price were given. The remaining shares in Radio BE 1 will remain with the previous owner Publigroupe. The takeover is subject to the approval of the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), Ringier announced on Wednesday. The media company does not intend to change the program concept of BE 1. The station will continue in its current form, with the existing management and staff. Radio BE 1 is the leading private radio station in Berne with 103,300 listeners in the concession area.
With this takeover, Ringier is expanding its activities in electronic media. The Group has already held a majority stake in Zurich-based Radio Energy since April of this year. The new acquisition is intended to appeal to more "young, urban" people.
"Radio BE1 is an economically sound radio station and the regional market leader in the listening and advertising market. The station is a perfect strategic fit for Ringier," commented Ringier Group spokesman Marco Castellaneta on the takeover to Werbewoche. "We are now also present with a radio station in the two important media centers of Zurich and Bern and can also create cross-media opportunities." The possibilities for synergies with other Ringier titles will of course be examined and realized where possible and sensible, Castellaneta continued.
As a result of the takeover and the corresponding provisions of the RTVA, Ringier will return the license for a DAB channel it received in July 2007 via the company Radio Z. The DAB "Radio for Youngsters" is to be converted into a program subject to registration.
With this takeover, Ringier is expanding its activities in electronic media. The Group has already held a majority stake in Zurich-based Radio Energy since April of this year. The new acquisition is intended to appeal to more "young, urban" people.
"Radio BE1 is an economically sound radio station and the regional market leader in the listening and advertising market. The station is a perfect strategic fit for Ringier," commented Ringier Group spokesman Marco Castellaneta on the takeover to Werbewoche. "We are now also present with a radio station in the two important media centers of Zurich and Bern and can also create cross-media opportunities." The possibilities for synergies with other Ringier titles will of course be examined and realized where possible and sensible, Castellaneta continued.
As a result of the takeover and the corresponding provisions of the RTVA, Ringier will return the license for a DAB channel it received in July 2007 via the company Radio Z. The DAB "Radio for Youngsters" is to be converted into a program subject to registration.
