The Wall Street Journal reports tonight that the owners of Univision are seeking to sell the company and has held preliminary talks with CBS and Time-Warner.
Among its holdings are 68 radio stations in 15 markets. Those stations have seen many changes in the past few months as the company flipped multiple stations, revised much of their branding, and cut staffers in recent months. The changes were precipitated by the loss of revenue be the termination of Los Angeles based syndicated morning host Eddio ‘Piolin’ Soltelo last July.
The Wall Street Journal report states Univision’s owners are seeking more than $20 billion for the company. The group led by Haim Saban’s Saban Capital Group and including Madison Dearborn Partners, Providence Equity Partners, Thomas H. Lee Partners and TPG Capital paid $12.3 billion in 2006. Mexican broadcaster Grupo Televisa paid $130 million for a 5% stake of the company as part of a $1.2 billion investment in 2010.
Nathan Obral 
only1moore 
saradio 
troygud1 
CBS cannot purchase Univision in a clean transaction by any stretch of the imagination. It’s just like the persistent rumors that Cumulus could buy CBS Radio – the ownership conflicts are massive and could torpedo any deal.
I’m waiting to see how this plays out. I wouldn’t be surprised if other companies go after Univision, since they have valuable properties that they would love to get their hands on.
Here’s hoping that Cumulus doesn’t purchase any of Univision stations.
I think The Walt Disney Company-Which owns ABC-would be a good match for Univision. However, Disney must diverse Univision’s several assets to make it a done deal. Also Televisa is planning on making a long run for America’s largest Spanish broadcaster as well.