MFE-MediaForEurope NV, the media group controlled by Italy’s Berlusconi family, is looking to expand further in Europe, just weeks after taking over German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1.
MFE is reportedly in talks about a possible acquisition of a stake in the Portuguese media company Impresa Sociedade Gestora De Participacões Sociais (SGPS). Lisbon-based Impresa owns broadcaster Sociedade Independente de Comunicação (SIC) and the weekly newspaper Expresso.
In a statement reported by Reuters, Impresa said that the Balseger holding company of Portuguese media tycoon Francisco Pinto Balsemao – which controls more than 50% of Impresa – is in contact, "exclusively with MFE, to evaluate the acquisition of a relevant stake". The statement added, however, that there was "no binding agreement".
MFE owns Mediaset Italia in Italy and Mediaset España in Spain. Three weeks ago, the company secured more than 75% of German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1. MFE is thought to want to build a European broadcasting group that can compete more effectively with the global streamers such as Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video.
Impresa said in March 2025 that it plans to cut costs by about 10% over the next four years to help it reduce debt and increase revenue.
ProSiebenSat.1 recently announced plans to cut 430 jobs as part of the company’s digital transformation and renewed focus on the entertainment business. Discover more here.
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