RTL declines comment on report of Belgian sale talks

RTL SA

24/03/2021 10:33

BERLIN, March 24 (Reuters) - Broadcaster RTL  RRTL.DE 
declined to comment on Wednesday on a newspaper report that it
is exploring the sale of its Belgian operation, but reiterated
that it is exploring its options as it urges European industry
consolidation.
    Business paper L'Echo reported earlier that RTL, a unit of
publishing group Bertelsmann  BTGGg.F , was exploring the sale
of its Belgian subsidiary for around 300 million euros ($355
million) and had hired JP Morgan as an adviser.
    A spokesman for RTL declined to comment on the report, but
reiterated an existing line that the company has issued in
response to earlier reports that it is in talks to sell its 48%
stake in France' Groupe M6  MMTP.PA .  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N2LA181
    RTL said: "There is a strong case for consolidation in the
European broadcasting sector. RTL Group reviews such options on
an ongoing basis with a view to creating value for its
shareholders. There can be no certainty that this may lead to
any type of agreement or transaction."
 ($1 = 0.8457 euros)

 (Reporting by Klaus Lauer, Writing by Douglas Busvine, editing
by Emma Thomasson)
 ((douglas.busvine@tr.com; +49 30 220 133 562;))