[arista]

[ Richard Desmond, the owner of Channel 5,
is exploring a sale of the television business.
Mr Desmond, whose Northern & Shell
also owns the Express and Star newspapers,
can expect to sell the business for many times
the £103.5m he paid for it three and
a half years ago, after returning Channel 5
to profit and amid
optimistic forecasts for broadcasters.
A sale would be likely to raise more
than £700m according to reports,
although it is understood that Mr Desmond
could look for up to £1bn. Northern & Shell
has appointed Barclays to work on the sale.
The process is in a very early stage, however.
Prospects for free-to-air broadcasters,
which have been gloomy during
the financial downturn, are looking much improved. ]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...Five-sale.html

http://www.theguardian.com/media/201...sale-channel-5




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