European Broadcasters invest in Studio7, the Premium Multi-Channel Network of ProSiebenSat.

European Broadcasters invest in Studio71, the Premium Multi-Channel Network of ProSiebenSat.1

Digital Media Alliance between ProSiebenSat.1, TF1 Group and Mediaset

Munich, Paris, Milan, January 12, 2017. ProSiebenSat.1 Group continues to internationalize its online video business and is building up a strategic partnership with its European media partners TF1 Group (France) and Mediaset (Italy) in the field of multi-channel networks (MCN). Both media corporations are investing in ProSiebenSat.1's premium MCN called Studio71 by way of a capital increase with shares of 5.5% (Mediaset) and 6.1% (TF1) at a company valuation of approximately EUR 400 million. ProSiebenSat.1 retains about 70% of the shares in Studio71.

As part of the transaction, the Munich-based media group has agreed to acquire a strategic minority interest in Finder Studios , a French premium MCN co-founded by TF1. The investment in Finder Studios is subject to approval by the German Federal Cartel Office and the Austrian Federal Competition Authority. Furthermore, ProSiebenSat.1 and Mediaset have agreed to found a joint venture, which will roll-out the Studio71 business model in the Italian market.

The new investors will support Studio71 in tapping into additional markets alongside Germany, USA, Canada, Great Britain and Austria, and in continuing its consistently strong growth trajectory over the recent years. As part of the partnership, the appropriate infrastructure will now be set up in France and Italy in order to promote Studio71's business rapidly and sustainably in the new markets. All partners will thus benefit equally from the innovative business model of the premium network that ProSiebenSat.1 has established. In particular, this includes the marketing, monetization, distribution and production of web video content.

Christof Wahl, Member of the Executive Board, Digital, & COO ProSiebenSat.1 Group: The partnership with TF1 Group and Mediaset gives us access to key European markets where the online video market is just now really picking up momentum and promising significant potential. With the united marketing power of our media companies, we have an attractive ecosystem with which we can generate additional income and continue Studio71's digital success story.

Studio71 was founded in 2013 by Sebastian Weil and Ronald Horstman, its Managing Directors, and has quickly established itself as a market leader with around 500 million video views a month in the German-speaking region. By acquiring a majority in the US network Collective Digital Studio, which now also trades under the name Studio71, the MCN reaches about 6 billion video views a month and joined the world's top five players with a focus on premium channels. Studio71 is represented in five countries with a total of eight branch offices and around 200 employees. As a result of the transaction, Studio71 will add offices and teams in Paris and Milan soon.

Olivier Abecassis, Vice President Innovation and Digital at the TF1 Group, says: This deal is absolutely in line with the strategy being driven by TF1s CEO Gilles P lisson, and with the Group's new ambitions in digital. By taking a stake in Studio71, the TF1 Group is positioning itself in the global digital ecosystem alongside two of Europe's leading media groups. And by becoming the operator of Studio71 France, we are bolstering our presence in multi-platform premium online video, and our status as a key partner for emerging web creatives.

Pierpaolo Cervi, Chief Digital Officer of Mediaset Spa: We join a digital global partner like Studio71 - with a deep broadcaster DNA - in order to build a leading player in the Italian market for the editorial management and monetization of digital talents, to maximize the distribution of Mediaset TV contents on internet and to boost synergies between TV and web.

TF1 Group and Mediaset are members of the European Media Alliance , a media network of leading European broadcasters, initiated by ProSiebenSat.1 in 2014 to create common synergies and investment opportunities.

About Studio71:

Studio71 is ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE's multi-channel network with globally around six billion video views a month. Studio71's headquarters are in Berlin and Los Angeles, with additional locations in New York, London, Vienna, Toronto, San Francisco and Chicago. Studio71 is the leading multi-channel network in the German-speaking region, pooling the station group's web-only content and distributing it via digital platforms. SevenOne Media, Germany's leading video marketer, is responsible for ad marketing.

About Mediaset:

Mediaset Group, the leading commercial television operator in Italy and Spain, is one of Europe's biggest media companies. Mediaset Italia has been listed on the Milan Stock Exchange since 1996, and Mediaset Espana on the Madrid Stock exchange since 2004.

About TF1 Group:

TF1 is the leading private audiovisual group in free-to-air television in France. The Group's five complementary free-to-air channels, TF1, TMC, NT1, HD1 and LCI), together claimed an average audience share of 27.7% in 2015. LCI is being added to the Group's free DTT channels in 2016. The Group is strengthening this leadership position by continuously adapting to the new ways in which viewers are consuming content. TF1 is thus developing a powerful digital format for its channels. Exclusive digital content and video-on-demand products are also offered in order to reach all audiences across all platforms. More information www.groupeTF1.fr/en @groupeTF1

LINK:	http://en.prosiebensat1.com/en/press/european-broadcasters-invest-in-s...
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