International law firm Salans advised Mini Movie International Channel S.à r.l. (Mini Movie) on the sale of the German private television channel Das Vierte to Spirit ON Media Group plc (SOM).
In the framework of the transaction, Mini Movie, which is part of the group belonging to the Russian media entrepreneur Dmitrij Lesnewski, sold all its shares in Das Vierte GmbH, having its registered office in Munich, to Phoenix Medien GmbH, a German subsidiary of SOM. The deal’s execution awaits competition and media law approval. It was agreed that the purchase price should remain confidential.
The Das Vierte channel can be viewed throughout Germany either in analogue or in digital via cable or satellite. Since 2009 it has been available on digital terrestrial television. Mini Movie acquired Das Vierte in June 2008 and made it profitable. The acquisition was likewise supervised by Frankfurt counsel Dr. Volker Junghanns, who at the time was with another law firm.
SOM has its own channels, which can be viewed via the Internet or satellite. In its first statement, SOM stated that Phoenix Medien GmbH’s aim is to develop Das Vierte further in the long term with new and appealing programming.
Advisors for Mini Movie:
Salans LLP, Frankfurt/Berlin: Dr. Volker Junghanns (Lead; Corporate), Carolin Gäthke (Corporate), Volker Veth (Tax), Dr. Jörg Karenfort (Media and Competition), Dr. Michael Witteler (Employment).