Greek media executive Theodore Kyriakou, chairman of Antenna Group and lead shareholder of the Kyriakou family’s K Group, is reportedly seeking to develop an Italian all-news television channel with CNN branding, with Enrico Mentana, the prominent anchor and director of TgLa7, among the names being considered for the project.
The plan follows K Group’s acquisition in March of 100 percent of GEDI, the Italian publishing group that includes La Repubblica, Italy’s second-largest daily newspaper, as well as several radio stations and other media assets.
Kyriakou is reportedly exploring a partnership or licensing arrangement involving the CNN brand and a launch on Italy’s digital terrestrial television system. One possibility under consideration is channel 52, currently occupied by Warner Bros. Discovery’s DMAX.
The project faces significant economic and competitive challenges. Italy already has several established all-news outlets, including Rai News 24, Sky TG24 and Mediaset’s TGCom24, making the launch of a new national news channel a potentially expensive proposition in a difficult advertising market.
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