The announcement comes as a surprise. The private television provider is currently in dispute with its major shareholder, the Berlusconi heirs’ company. The Italians want to break up the company – the showdown is coming soon.
There is a tussle over the future of Pro Sieben Sat 1, the largest private television provider in Germany alongside RTL. The major shareholder, the Berlusconi company Media for Europe (MFE), is pushing for the company to be broken up quickly. The board under Bert Habets is resisting this with all its might. The showdown is scheduled to take place at the next general meeting at the end of April, when the shareholders will vote on the break-up. Until then, both sides gather arguments – and strength.