MTG has signed an agreement to sell its 95% shareholding in Nova Broadcasting Group (“Nova”) in Bulgaria to Advance Media Group. The transaction values 100% of the business at an enterprise value of EUR 185 million (approximately SEK 1,917 million). The transaction is subject to local regulatory approval, and the proceeds will be used to develop MTG’s global digital entertainment verticals through organic investment and M&A.

Nova is Bulgaria’s largest commercial media group and comprises 7 TV channels, as well as complementary online businesses that reach on average 74% of the Bulgarian population every month. Nova generated SEK 1,154 million of sales and SEK 223 million of operating income (EBIT) for the full year 2018, and employs 650 people. MTG first entered Bulgaria in 2007 by investing in Balkan Media Group Limited, and then acquired Nova in 2008 before merging the two businesses in 2009.

Jørgen Madsen Lindemann, MTG President & CEO: “This deal with Advance Media Group will ensure the continued development of Nova, which CEO Didier Stoessel and his team have grown into Bulgaria’s leading commercial media group. I would like to thank everyone who has made this sustained success possible. This transaction is in line with our strategic decision to find new owners to invest in our international entertainment operations, while we focus on our global digital verticals. Following the forthcoming distribution of NENT Group, MTG will be a standalone strategic operational and investment holding company focused on esports and online gaming.”

The sale of Nova will result in a net capital gain of approximately SEK 1,300 million.

Citigroup Global Markets is acting as financial adviser to MTG on the sale.

Advance Media Group EAD is a subsidiary of Advance Properties OOD, which owns 117 companies across 23 countries. Advance Properties’ portfolio companies operate in more than 10 industries including pharmaceuticals, shipping, port operation, real estate and power generation. The group is jointly owned by Bulgarian businessmen Kiril Domuschiev and Georgi Domuschiev.