Clear Channel Outdoor to sell Europe-North business for $625 mln to Bauer Media
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Hamburg, January 9, 2025 – Bauer Media Group (“Bauer Media” or “the Group”) – a European media business which includes print and online publishing, and Audio broadcasting and entertainment – has signed an agreement to acquire Clear Channel Europe-North (“Clear Channel Europe”), a significant player in the Out of Home (“OOH”) media sector. The transaction is expected to close in 2025, upon satisfaction of regulatory approvals.
The acquisition of Clear Channel Europe extends Bauer Media’s European coverage and strengthens its core media related businesses. With a strong portfolio of highly digitised assets, Clear Channel Europe gives Bauer Media an additional offering in 12 markets, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Sweden. This includes seven markets where Bauer Media already has an established presence, and five new markets for the company. This transaction also enhances Bauer Media’s growing digital market offering and expertise.
The addition of Clear Channel Europe will widen Bauer Media’s offer to advertisers, with more consumer touchpoints, enabling the delivery of more impactful campaigns across the European region. Clear Channel Europe’s leadership team will continue to lead the Out of Home operations and the 1,400 staff.
Commenting, Yvonne Bauer, Chair of the Bauer Media Board said, “The acquisition of Clear Channel Europe represents a pivotal step in advancing our Group’s refocused strategy. By enhancing our core media and related businesses while investing in our digital transformation, this move broadens our capabilities and strengthens our position as a major player in the highly competitive media industry.’’
‘’Bringing together our two companies’ offerings will enable us to reach 350 million consumers through 200 magazine brands, 150 Audio brands, and 110,000 Out of Home sites across Europe. This expands the scope of what we can offer advertisers, in turn giving them the opportunity to amplify the impact and relevance of their campaigns in an increasingly connected and digital world.”
“We look forward to welcoming the Clear Channel team to Bauer Media. Together, we will create a comprehensive and innovative media offering that meets the evolving needs of our advertisers and audiences across the region,” she continued.
Justin Cochrane, Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel Outdoor UK & Europe added, “We look forward to joining Bauer Media to build upon the strong foundation that we have established in these European markets as a part of Clear Channel Outdoor. The consistent top-line performance of our Europe-North assets year-to-date underscores the growing demand in these markets and the dedication of our teams to executing for our clients and partners.”
Bauer Media’s lead M&A adviser was LionTree Advisers. Reed Smith served as legal adviser. The company was also advised by OOH Capital, Deloitte and Herbert Smith Freehills.
Media contacts
Bauer Media Group
Nigel Thornton
nigel.thornton@bauermedia.com
+44 7785433122
Rob Mindell FTI Consulting (London)
Rob.Mindell@fticonsulting.com
+44 7714 541685
About Bauer Media Group
We are a media business focused on creating content that matters to millions of people across Europe. Our offering extends from print and online Publishing to Audio broadcasting and entertainment, alongside investments in other media related sectors. With more than 500 million copies sold each year, we are one of Europe’s leading Publishers. From women’s and celebrities’ magazines to TV listings to food and special interest, we own some of the most popular Publishing brands in Germany, UK, Poland and France – both digital and print. But not only that. Reaching over 61 million listeners weekly, we operate over 150 radio and podcast brands in nine countries, spanning the UK, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Portugal. Family-owned in the 5th generation, Bauer Media focuses on the long-term, with a consumer-first mindset that guides us across our diverse portfolio. Our workforce of 12,000 shares a common purpose: to deliver content and services that enrich people’s everyday lives.