Univision targets IPO

US Spanish-language broadcaster Univision Communications has hired Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank to lead an initial public offering, according to the Reuters news agency.

The flotation of Univision, which is a major broadcaster of sports in the US and has rights to events such as football’s Copa America, could take place in the second half of this year. The flotation could raise more than $1bn (€893m), the report added.

Aside from its main channel, Univision also operates cable-television broadcaster UniMas and several other cable channels and Spanish-language radio stations.

Univision was acquired by a group of companies, including Madison Dearborn Partners, Saban Capital, Providence Equity Partners, TPG Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners, for $12.3bn in 2007. Mexican media company Grupo Televisa has an eight-per-cent stake that could be converted into a stake of up to 30 per cent.