Just weeks after the failed talks over the sale of its DTT pay business, Mediaset has told the London financial community that it intends to reduce its commitment.
Italian daily La Republica reports the media giant intends to make Mediaset Premium sustainable ” regardless of the outcome of the football rights auctions”. In what it described as a new “open model”, the company said it was now prepared to take content from third parties, a strategy that it believes will bring in an additional €200 million to Mediaset Italy’s operating margins.
Mediaset also wants to leverage existing agreements with other platforms especially those running “over the top”. A new editor will be appointed with the responsibility of non-sports channels. (It’s current focus highlighted by the lack of anyone in the role). Operating costs will also be reduced.
Later this year Mediaset will launch a new advertising-supported platform featuring Mediaset owned content and available on demand from various connected devices.
In April Vivendi and Mediaset announced an ‘industrial partnership’ that later collapsed amid acrimony and is yet to find an amicable solution outside of the courts.
