CME Media Enterprises B.V. (CME) announces today that after receiving Croatian regulatory approval, it has closed the transaction to acquire RTL Croatia. CME today owns 6 broadcasters in 6 CEE countries, encompassing 42 channels and reaching a total audience of 49 million viewers.

“We are very excited to welcome RTL Croatia to the CME family and expand our footprint in the Adriatic region, which offers exceptional growth potential. Our loyal viewers can expect increased local content productions, improved digital offerings, and a continued dedication to pluralistic and high-quality journalism,” said Didier Stoessel, CME CEO for Croatia, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Thanks to an anticipated close cooperation between RTL Croatia and Pro Plus in Slovenia, CME predicts a number of operational synergies in areas such as digitalization and content. With this ambition in mind, there will be several changes to the management and governance structures of RTL Croatia.

Effective immediately, Tonko Weissmann has become the new Executive Vice President – Croatian Operations of RTL Croatia. Mr. Weissmann has been with the organization since 2005 and has held a number of important legal and commercial positions. His appointment offers RTL Croatia continuity and stability during the important transition phase and management of future growth through improved content and digitalization.

Branko Čakarmiš, the current CEO of Pro Plus, will become the President of the RTL Croatia Management Board and CEO - Adriatic Region. Mr. Čakarmiš is a pioneer in television content production and as CEO of Pro Plus, he has successfully advanced the organization’s content and digital agenda. Mr. Čakarmiš will hold a dual position and will continue to execute his position of CEO of Pro Plus while acting as President of the RTL Croatia Management Board.

Christoph Mainusch has been appointed as President of the Supervisory Board of RTL Croatia and will offer his deep knowledge of the broadcasting industry to RTL Croatia in this oversight role.

Given the new management structure and by mutual agreement, Marc Puškarić, RTL Croatia’s CEO, departs the organization effective immediately. CME wishes Mr. Puškarić best of luck in his future endeavors.

“This new management structure reflects our intention to take the best that RTL Croatia has to offer and together with Pro Plus, take it to a new level,” continues Mr. Stoessel.

Eagle’s Rock Advisers SARL acted as corporate finance advisor to CME.