Berlusconi Responsible for Saving German Television?
In a significant move for the European media landscape, Media for Europe (MFE) has successfully acquired a majority stake in ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, Germany's second-largest commercial broadcaster. The deal, which was finalised in late August 2025, offers a 24% premium over pre-bid levels and aims to create a pan-European media group to better compete with U.S. streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon.
However, the acquisition has sparked concerns among German politicians and media experts. The potential implications include reshaping the European media landscape, creating a large cross-border media entity reaching approximately 30 million households, and generating €150 million in annual cost savings by 2029.
EU regulators and German authorities are expressing concerns about media concentration, with a particular focus on safeguarding ProSiebenSat.1's journalistic independence and economic autonomy. German observers fear that the Berlusconi family's control could threaten the broadcaster’s editorial content and local operational decisions, given ProSiebenSat.1’s significant role in the German media ecosystem.
The German government and the German Journalists' Association have expressed concerns that ProSiebenSat.1 could be "gradually realigned" on the populist Berlusconi line, a shift that could have far-reaching implications for the German media landscape.
Pier Silvio Berlusconi, who currently controls MFE, has been linked to controversial figures and practices, including tax evasion and associations with Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Berlusconi has also been known for his involvement in trash TV and ski vacations. In response to the concerns, Berlusconi has been interviewed by Der Spiegel to address the potential impact on ProSiebenSat.1 and the broader European media sector.
As the acquisition faces scrutiny, the debate continues about preserving independent journalism and maintaining competitive plurality within Germany’s media landscape under foreign ownership. The acquisition by Media for Europe could mark a turning point in the European media sector, but it also raises important questions about the future of journalistic integrity and editorial independence.
