Laren, North Holland – Talpa Holding acquires a 67% stake in SBS Broadcasting from Sanoma and thereby achieves full ownership of TV-stations SBS6, NET5, Veronica and SBS9. SBS Broadcasting will complement Talpa in further developing a new Dutch multimedia company with strong positions in television, radio, print and online. As part of the transaction, Talpa’s stake in the TV guide business Veronica Uitgeverij will be sold to Sanoma. Talpa expects to close the acquisition relatively shortly, pending regulatory approvals and completion of other customary review and approval procedures.

Talpa owner John de Mol considers this acquisition as an important step towards building a new Dutch multimedia company. Achieving full ownership of SBS represents a unique opportunity as one of only two free-to-air commercial TV groups in the Netherlands. Together with Talpa Radio, SBS will become an important pillar of a new multimedia company.

John de Mol, ‘I strongly believe in a strong Dutch multimedia company that is flexible enough to respond to the changing media landscape, which is primarily a consequence of rapid technological developments. SBS is a unique media asset which will be a key link in the new multimedia company. Access to innovative content and other platforms will be an important addition. The proposition that follows is interesting for viewers, readers, listeners, consumers and advertisers.’

Pim Schmitz, CEO Talpa Holding, ‘The acquisition of SBS is a fantastic step towards building a Dutch multimedia company. After the inclusion of SBS, we will focus on further investments in OTT, Print, Online, Data and Concepts.’