MFE Secures €3.4 Billion for Expansion

MFE-MediaForEurope, controlled by the Berlusconi family, has secured a €3.4 billion loan to accelerate its expansion across Europe, aiming to establish a pan-European free-to-air TV hub in response to the dominance of US streaming services like Netflix. CEO Pier Silvio Berlusconi emphasized the need to counter rising competition and reclaim advertising budgets from digital giants such as Facebook and Google. The company holds a nearly 30% stake in German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1, with aspirations for majority ownership while navigating a complex economic and political landscape in Germany. MFE is exploring opportunities in Portugal, the Netherlands, and potentially the UK and France, highlighting its ambition to broaden its media presence. Berlusconi noted that strategic moves will be contingent upon upcoming elections in Germany and the current economic climate, as MFE seeks to capitalize on synergies and optimize its portfolio. This expansion reflects a broader trend among European media companies to create robust alternatives to American platforms and reclaim market share.