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SBS Broadcasting Group

From Alfawiki
SBS Broadcasting Group
Company typePrivate (formerly)
IndustryMedia
Founded1989
FounderHarry E. Sloan
FateAcquired by ProSiebenSat.1 Media in 2007, assets later divested
Area served
Northern, Western, Central, and Eastern Europe
Key people
Harry E. Sloan (founder)
ProductsCommercial television channels, premium subscription networks, radio outlets, print media

SBS Broadcasting Group (commonly known as SBS), initially named Scandinavian Broadcasting Systems, was a pan-European media conglomerate managing commercial television channels, premium subscription networks, radio outlets, and associated print media throughout Northern, Western, Central, and Eastern Europe. It ranked as the continent's second-largest broadcasting entity.

History

Established in 1989 by Harry E. Sloan,[1][2] the company began by acquiring shares in Denmark’s Kanal 2 (currently Kanal 4) and Norway’s TVNorge. In 1991, Sloan also purchased Sweden’s Nordic Channel, later renamed Kanal 5, which became the third-largest commercial broadcaster in that country. Initially launched under the name "TV1," the firm adopted the "Scandinavian Broadcasting Systems" title in 1991 before shortening it to SBS following expansion into Benelux countries and Eastern Europe. By mid-1994, Capital Cities/ABC had secured a 23% ownership stake.[3]

In March 2005, SBS expanded its portfolio by acquiring C More Entertainment, a Nordic pay-TV operator branded under Canal+. That same year, private equity firms Permira and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) took ownership of SBS.[4] Meanwhile, Dutch media company Telegraaf Media Groep maintained a 20% shareholding.[5]

In early 2007, the same private equity owners acquired German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 Media, which subsequently announced on 27 June 2007 its €3.3 billion purchase of SBS Broadcasting Group from its joint proprietors. This deal elevated ProSiebenSat.1 Media to the position of Europe’s second-largest broadcaster with ownership of 48 television channels.

Beginning in 2011, ProSiebenSat.1 Media started divesting its assets outside Germany. On 20 April 2011, its Dutch operations were sold to Sanoma and Talpa Media Holding.[6] Later that year, Bulgarian radio stations along with music channel The Voice TV were transferred to A.E. Best Success Services Bulgaria EOOD. On 14 December 2012, Discovery Communications completed a $1.7 billion acquisition of SBS’s Nordic division.[7] Subsequently, radio properties were divested to Bauer Media Group. In 2013, Romanian television and radio assets were acquired by businessman Cristian Burci alongside Antenna Group.[8]

Former operations

This segment details the channels and publications that were part of the company prior to its acquisition in 2007.

Television

Belgium

  • VT4 (currently Play4)
  • VIJFtv (now operating as Play5)

Bulgaria

Denmark

Finland

Italy

  • Retemia (ceased operations; jointly owned with Internova, Profit, and Videopiù from 1997 to 1999)

Hungary

Macedonia

Netherlands

Norway

Romania

  • Prima TV (also accessible in Moldova via cable networks)
  • Kiss TV (previously TV K Lumea, currently under Antenna Group ownership)

Portugal

  • TVI (operated from 1996 to 1999)

Sweden

Switzerland

  • TV3 (discontinued; joint venture with Tamedia from 1999 to 2001)

Radio stations

Denmark

Greece

  • Lampsi 92.3 FM (now owned by Attica Editions)

Norway

Romania

  • Kiss FM (originally Radio Contact; also broadcasts in Moldova with tailored programming)
  • Magic FM
  • One FM
  • Rock FM

Sweden

Print

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  2. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  5. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ↑ http://www.fd.nl/artikel/21975607/behouden-huis (subscription required)
  7. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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