Mediaset planning to launch 8 pay-TV digital channels - report |
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Sun, 04 Mar 2007 16:47
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MILAN (AFX) - Mediaset SpA is planning to launch eight pay-TV broadcast channels in digital terrestial mode, said Corriere della Sera in an unsourced report on Saturday.Mediaset wants to defend its position against News Corp unit Sky Italia satellite pay-TV, which is growing its market penetration, it said.Mediaset's offering would consist of eight channels at 8 eur per month, and include films, cartoons and women's interest channels, it said.The company surprised the market on Friday when it announced a 3.6 pct fall in Italian TV advertising receipts in 2006, against an expected flat performance.The newspaper said Mediaset's traditional free-to-air channels face increased competition in attracting audiences from new distribution means and state broadcaster RAI.Citing an ItMedia Consulting report, it said RAI has lost 1.3 pct of audience share between 2003 and 2006, Mediaset has lost 3.6, while at the same time Sky Italia has gained 4.4 pct.The newspaper also cited comments by Mediaset CEO Guiliano Adreani saying the company is still interested in buying Telefonica SA TV content unit Endemol.Mediaset has appointed Mediobanca SpA as its adviser and does not exclude linking up with Endemol founder John de Mol on any planned offer.Separately, reports said De Mol's company Cyrte Investments BV took a 2.025 pct stake in Pirelli & C SpA, the largest shareholder in Telecom Italia SpA.nigel.tutt@thomson.comnt/wjCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited
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