Silvio Berlusconi's control of
his Mediaset broadcast group is not in question, the
ex-premier's son Pier Silvio Berlusconi said Wednesday.
However, a collaboration with French media group Vivendi SA
could be possible, added the younger Berlusconi, a senior
executive at Mediaset, Italy's dominant broadcaster.
Rumours have swirled around a series of meetings involving
Berlusconi senior and major media players including Vivendi and
competitor Rupert Murdoch of Sky TV which offers Sky Italia.
Media reports suggested that Vivendi is interested in a
possible investment in the Mediaset Premium pay-TV operation.
Vivendi has also been increasing its stake in Telecom
Italia, the country's largest telephone provider as part of a
larger Italian foray.
"Control of Mediaset is not in question," Pier Silvio
Berlusconi said amid reports the ex-premier may want to sell a
stake in the broadcaster.
But Vivendi is a "good potential partner" for premium
content in the medium-to-longer term, Pier Silvio Berlusconi
said after a shareholders' meeting, Bloomberg News reported.
He reportedly added that no concrete plans yet exist.
The younger Berlusconi also confirmed meetings were held at
the ex-premier's home in Arcore near Milan Monday evening with
Murdoch.
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