PRESS: Len Blavatnik may buy Russian business of Viasat from MTG

MOSCOW, Aug 28 (PRIME) -- Len Blavatnik, a U.S. businessman of a Soviet origin, has agreed to buy a controlling stake in the Russian business of satellite TV broadcaster Viasat from Sweden’s Modern Times Group (MTG), business daily Vedomosti reported Friday, quoting several sources.

An acquaintance of Blavatnik confirmed that the businessman has been holding negotiations to buy Viasat for several months already, and not only Russian assets are involved, but also in Eastern and Central Europe, as well as in Africa.

A source close to MTG said that the Swedish group is discussing the sale of the Russian business of Viasat with several buyers. MTG wants to sell the asset because of the law, which allows foreigners to have no more than 20% in local mass media starting from 2016.

The local business of Viasat attracts attention of a number of bidders, and several of them are confident about winning the deal, an unnamed official told the daily, adding that they include Blavatnik and fund Baring Vostok.

Viasat has eight non-terrestrial channels in the country: TV1000, TV1000 Russian Cinema, TV1000 Action, Viasat Sport, Viasat Explore, Viasat History, Viasat Nature and DaVinci Learning. According to TNS, TV1000 Russian Cinema and TV1000 are the third and fourth most popular thematic channels in the country with a daily audience of 3.5 million and 2.8 million people.

Blavatnik, whose fortune is estimated at U.S. $20 billion, owns record company Warner Music and 15.6%, jointly with Russian tycoon Viktor Vekselberg, in aluminum giant UC RUSAL. He also owns TV company Amedia, running three pay TV channels.

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