Mexico: Grupo ACIR refuses to buy Televisa radio assets

Mexican radio conglomerate Grupo Acir has told Televisa that it would not be interested in purchasing its radio chain Radiopolis, for which the television giant is asking at least US$170 million.

José Antonio Ibarra Fariña, director of Acir’s radio division, declared that the amount requested by Televisa is extremely high given a scenario where government advertising is expected to collapse by up to 50% due to the incoming government’s cut-back policies.

The Televisa-ACIR merger was first attempted in 2000, when Grupo Televisa and US-based Clear Channel Communications Inc. tried to buy half of Acir for US$101 million in order to merge it with Radiópolis, but the operation was stopped by the then Federal Competition Commission. The ACIR / Televisa Radio combination would have the potential to create the second largest chain in the country, with 270 stations, and adding 11 frequencies in Mexico City.

Full Content: La Politica Online

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