29/08/2002 - The French TV channel joins Columbia Tristar and Italy's Mediaset in negotiations to buy Germany’s troubled media group

In a move that confirms its intention to become a major international player, French television station TF1 is once again in talks to buy up parts of Germany’s troubled media giant, KirchMedia. An earlier attempt by the French television station in April of this year was unsuccessful. This decision follows a joint film distribution venture that TF1 signed with Miramax a few months ago.
The jewels in KirchMedia’s crown include Germany's most popular private television , as well as an impressive catalogue of film titles that goes back to 1950 when tycoon Leo Kirch started building his media empire. However given its enormous value, it is likely the catalogue will be sold separately.
Three consortia were selected as contenders (i.e. each able to write a cheque for over Euros2bn each), aside from TF1, we have Columbia Tristar and associate producer Haim Saban with the support of Germany’s Commerzbank, and Italy’s Mediaset in partnership with Lehman Brothers International. Negotiations began last August 9 and are still underway in Munich.

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(Translated from French)