Mediaset says Tiscali is not a target

Italian broadcaster Mediaset has denied rumours that it is lining up an acquisition of domestic broadband operator Tiscali. While speculation of a possible takeover has seen Tiscali’s share price surge in recent days, Mediaset released a statement to say: ‘With regard to press rumours linking Mediaset to the recent performance of the share price of Tiscali, the company denies that it has any specific interest in the operator.’ The broadcaster did note, however, that it is studying partnerships with communications operators which would allow it to offer a full package of pay-TV and broadband services. According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, at end-June 2014 Tiscali had 489,300 broadband subscribers, down slightly from 492,500 one year earlier and a peak figure of 586,100 at end-December 2008.