BeIN Media Group closing in on Digiturk deal – report

The beIN Media Group could finalise a deal to take over Turkish pay-television broadcaster Digiturk “within weeks,” sources have told the Bloomberg news agency.

The report added that beIN is in advanced talks over the deal, which could be worth up to $1.5bn (€1.3bn).

Investment vehicle Çukurova Holding, which is controlled by Turkish billionaire Mehmet Emin Karamehmet, is selling its 53-per-cent stake in Digiturk, while US buy-out company Providence Equity Partners and other shareholders are selling the remaining 47 per cent.

In April, it was reported that the deal was pending the approval of Turkey's Savings Deposit Insurance Fund, which seized Cukurova’s stake in Digiturk in 2013 due to debts.

Digiturk has domestic rights for Turkish football’s top-tier Süper Lig until the end of the 2016-17 season.