The sale of the Turkish Sabah-ATV media group may now not go ahead tomorrow (December 5), as had previously been planned. Two consortia – RTL, in partnership with the local companies Sancak Construction and ATP Construction, and the Carlyle Group and local company Nural Holding – are reported to have pulled out of the bidding at the last moment, leaving only a Turkish consortium headed by Turkuaz in the picture. The Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) is looking for at least $1.1 billion (€750.5 million) from the sale, which would net the buyer a 25% stake in a company whose interests include the ATV television channel. Several foreign companies, including CME, News Corp. and Greece’s Antenna, were previously believed to be interested in buying into Sabah-ATV. Although the TMSF has ruled out a cancellation of the tender, it is believed that the group might stay in public hands.
