RAI says bound to keep 51% of Rai Way

(ANSA) - Rome, March 2 - Public broadcaster RAI is legally bound to keep 51% of its Rai Way transmission unit, the target of a bid by Silvio Berlusconi's Ei Towers subsidiary, RAI said Monday after a query from bourse regulator Consob.
    Shares in Rai Way, Ei Towers and Berlusconi's media group Mediaset have been very active since the proposed purchase by the Mediaset-controlled firm was unveiled last week.
    The government has said RAI must retain 51% ownership of Rai Way while EI Towers, controlled by Mediaset, wants to purchase two-thirds.
    The proposed deal involving a company controlled by Mediaset, owned by ex-premier and media mogul Berlusconi, triggered a firestorm of controversy when it became public on Tuesday.
    If it were to succeed, the deal will be worth about 1.2 billion euros.