Turkish media company Acunmedya is acquiring 50% of the shares in German sports TV broadcaster Sport1.
The agreement was reached with Sport1’s parent company Highlight Communications; financial details were not disclosed. A comprehensive strategic cooperation is planned, which also includes the content sector. For example, internationally renowned programmes from Acunmedya are to be brought to German TV screens on Sport1, including the sports reality format Exatlon.
The completion of the transaction, first reported by German industry magazine Clap, is still subject to various conditions, in particular the approval of media and antitrust authorities.
“We are very excited for our partnership with Highlight Group with which we share the same vision and passion for sports and entertainment. We hope to create a success story together by delivering inspiring innovative programmes to our audiences in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. I am looking forward to taking it to a new level together with the Sport1 team,” said Acun Ilicali, Founder and Owner of Acunmedya Group.
Bernhard Burgener, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Sport1 Medien, added: “With Acunmedya Group, our Company has gained an outstanding strategic investor as a partner. I have been observing Acun Ilicali’s impressive entrepreneurial development for a very long time and am firmly convinced that we can expand Sport1 and make it more successful together with him.”
Highlight Communications announced in June 2023 that it was examining various strategic options for the development of Sport1, including cooperations, M&A options, a complete or partial sale.
