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Business News Deals Media
BBC magazine maker could be bought by German firm
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 20 December 2016
The media firm that publishes the BBC’s magazines, including the classical-focused BBC Music print title, seems set to be bought by German publisher Hubert Burda, according to various sources.
Immediate Media has published the various BBC-branded magazines, print titles based around some of the Corporation’s TV shows and the flagship listings publication Radio Times since doing a deal with the Beeb’s commercial division, BBC Worldwide, in 2011.
Under that arrangement, Immediate bought some of the BBC’s print titles, secured a licence to publish others, and did a deal to produce others still on a contract publishing basis. The firm’s ongoing relationship with BBC Worldwide means the Beeb’s commercial wing will have to approve the Hubert Burda deal before it can go ahead.
Immediate is currently owned by private equity outfit Exponent, and has grown beyond the BBC magazines it produces, now publishing a total 60 magazines and digital media brands. The takeover deal is said to be worth up to £275 million.
