(Reuters) - U.S. Spanish-language broadcaster Univision Communications Inc held early-stage talks with John Malone's Liberty Media Corp (FWONA.O), after he expressed interest in an acquisition or significant investment, a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
An acquisition of Univision would expand Liberty Media's ever-growing media footprint, while giving the broadcaster's private equity owners a chance to cash out on their investment after they pushed back plans for an initial public offering. <\/p>\n
There is no certainty that Malone will pursue the talks further, the source said. Without a deal, Univision may go public in the first half of next year, the source added. <\/p>\n
The source requested anonymity because the discussions, which were first reported by the Wall Street Journal, are confidential. New York-based Univision declined to comment. Liberty Media did not immediately respond to a request for comment. <\/p>\n
Liberty Media has investments across the media industry, including telecommunications company Charter Communications Inc (CHTR.O), motorsports business Formula One Group (FWONA.O) and radio business Sirius XM Radio Inc. <\/p>\n
It is also an investor in cable company Discovery Communications Inc (DISCA.O), which sources have said is engaged in merger talks with Scripps Networks Interactive Inc (SNI.O). <\/p>\n
Univision was taken private by a group of buyout firms, including Madison Dearborn Partners, Saban Capital, Providence Equity Partners, TPG Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners, for $12.3 billion in 2007. <\/p>\n
Univision filed for an IPO in 2015, but investor appetite for large indebted companies such as Univision soured and those plans have been on hold. <\/p>\n
During the delay, the company underwent a restructuring that led to the layoffs of more than 200 employees. It also acquired U.S. internet publisher Gawker Media LLC for $135 million. <\/p>\n
Mexican media company Grupo Televisa (TLVACPO.MX) is a minority investor in Univision. <\/p>\n
It holds three board seats and also collects hundreds of millions in licensing revenue and royalties every year from Univision, which airs a large chunk of its programming. <\/p>\n
Univision, with total 2016 sales of $3 billion, owns television operations, cable networks, digital businesses such as mobile apps and radio stations. <\/p>\n
This would not be the first time Univision has explored a sale. It has had conversations with CBS Corp (CBS.N) and Time Warner Inc (TWX.N), sources previously told Reuters. <\/p>\n
Reporting by Greg Roumeliotis in New York; Editing by Richard Chang <\/p>\n
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Liberty Media discusses potential deal with Univision: source - Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" (Reuters) - U.S. Spanish-language broadcaster Univision Communications Inc held early-stage talks with John Malone's Liberty Media Corp (FWONA.O), after he expressed interest in an acquisition or significant investment, a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. An acquisition of Univision would expand Liberty Media's ever-growing media footprint, while giving the broadcaster's private equity owners a chance to cash out on their investment after they pushed back plans for an initial public offering. Continue reading