The European Commission approves Bonnier Group’s divestment of Bonnier Broadcasting to Telia

In July 2018, Bonnier announced the sale of Bonnier Broadcasting, including TV4, C More and Finnish MTV, to Telia. The deal has been subject to review by the EU Competition Authorities. Today, the European Commission has declared that the review has been finalized and that the transaction is approved. The transaction is expected to be completed on December 2, 2019.

“Bonnier strengthens its financial resources, which enables investments for growth in both our current operations and in new areas,” says Erik Haegerstrand, CEO of Bonnier Group. “At the same time, TV4, C More and MTV get a new owner who strengthens the businesses through the opportunity to combine content and distribution.”

Following the divestment, Bonnier Group will have an annual revenue of approximately SEK 20 billion and operations in 16 countries. The number of employees will amount to 9,000 working in nine companies – Adlibris, Bonnier Books, Bonnier News, Bonnier Corp. (U.S.), Bonnier Publications (DK), Bonnier Ventures, SF Studios, Bonnier Fastigheter and Boninvest.

“We are impressed with the progress Bonnier Broadcasting has had over the roughly twenty years during which we have been committed owners, not the least with the revenue growth and earnings improvement in the last couple of years. Bonnier is a family-owned company with a history that goes back more than 200 years and we have a long-term perspective where acquisitions and divestments are part of developing the group,” says Carl-Johan Bonnier as representative of the owners.