CME close to acquiring News Corp’s bTV

Central and eastern European pan-regional broadcaster Central European Media Enterprises (CME) is believed to be close to acquiring News Corp-owned Bulgarian broadcaster bTV.

CME is expected to pay around €500m and the deal is set to close in February. This follows CME’s acquisition of an 80% stake in two Bulgarian stations TV2 and Ring TV in 2008 for US$172m (€122m).

bTV is the leading Bulgarian station with an audience share of 38% in December.