Italy's RAI pushes for EI Towers contract extensions before RaiWay deal, sources say

Mfe-mediaforeurope NV

26/05/2026 17:01

RAI seeks EI Towers extensions with broadcasters -sources
A sticking point in merger talks ahead of deadline -sources
Rome decree requires RAI to keep at least 30% of RaiWay
By Elvira Pollina

    MILAN, May 26 (Reuters) - Italy's RAI is pushing for EI Towers to extend contracts with broadcasters using its infrastructure before it merges with the state broadcaster's RaiWay RWAY.MI to ensure longer-term business stability, three sources told Reuters.
The issue is a sticking point in talks between RaiWay and shareholders in EI Towers ahead of a June 15 deadline to reach a deal, said the sources, who declined to be named because the discussions are not public.
A merger between Milan-listed RaiWay and privately owned EI Towers has been on the radar for nearly a decade.
EI Towers is 60% owned by Italian infrastructure fund F2i, with the remainder held by Italy's top commercial broadcaster Mediaset, part of the Berlusconi-controlled MFE-MediaForEurope MFEB.MI which is also the tower company's biggest customer.
A tie-up would create an Italian TV tower leader worth nearly €4 billion, including debt.
RAI is pushing for EI Towers to secure extensions of its contracts, including with Mediaset, to around 2037, the people said. The contracts are due to expire in 2032, when concessions for the use of broadcasting frequencies are due to lapse.
Addressing the matter might require an extension of the talks beyond the current deadline, they added. 
F2i, MFE and RAI declined to comment. RaiWay and EI Towers were not available to comment.
Negotiations, which stemmed from a memorandum of understanding signed by Treasury-owned RAI, F2i and MFE in December 2024, have already been extended after missing earlier end-March and end-September deadlines.
In 2024, Rome approved a decree requiring any cut in RAI's stake to be through combining entities in the same sector.
This confirmed an existing obligation for RAI, which owns 65% of RaiWay, to maintain at least a 30% stake in its tower business, which would remain listed.

(Reporting by Elvira Pollina, additional reporting Giuseppe Fonte, editing by Alexander Smith )
((elvira.pollina@thomsonreuters.com))