German media giant eyes NZ titles
GERMAN media giant Bauer Media Group is in discussions to buy magazine titles including the Listener and the Woman’s Weekly from current owner APN News and Media.
Bauer’s New Zealand chief executive Paul Dykzeul confirmed discussions between the parties were taking place, but played down their significance.
‘‘We are only talking ... I find it absolutely staggering how it gets out. They are just conversations,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re a privately owned company, we’re keen to grow as a company and we talk to lots of people about a lot of things.
‘‘Whether we do anything or not is a completely different story.’’
It is understood the discussions concern assets held by APN’s subsidiary New Zealand Magazines, including the Listener and
but exclude the recently acquired
Such a move would consolidate the local magazine industry under the umbrella of a well-resourced new entrant and may require Commerce Commission approval.
Bauer, which has its headquarters in Hamburg, focuses on magazine publishing and has operations in 16 countries.
In October last year the company spent an estimated $600 million buying into the South Pacific region by picking up the Australasian assets of magazine publisher ACP Media.
The acquisition included titles such as Next and Your