MFE–MediaForEurope has broadened its reach across Europe, securing a 32.9% stake in the prominent Portuguese media conglomerate, Impresa. This strategic move increases MFE's presence to encompass six European markets and solidifies its stance on the Iberian Peninsula. Impresa operates the SIC family of television channels and publishes various print and digital publications, notably the weekly news magazine *Expresso*.
The agreement stops short of granting MFE a controlling share and is characterized as a strategic, industrial investment centered on sustained collaboration with the Balsemão family, the longstanding shareholders of Impresa. MFE's operational scope now extends to Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Portugal.
According to Chief executive Pier Silvio Berlusconi, this initiative amplifies the group's broadcasting and commercial capabilities "to the entire Iberian Peninsula," highlighting that numerous prominent advertisers already consider Spain and Portugal as a unified market. Immediate operational synergy between MFE and Impresa is planned, initially concentrating on advertising sales and the advancement of the Portuguese group's digital infrastructure.
Both entities portray the alliance as a means to bolster local content production while stimulating expansion through streaming services, digital distribution channels, and cutting-edge technologies. Impresa CEO Francisco Pedro Balsemão stated that the company was “proud to become part of Europe’s leading media group”, further noting that the partners share a commitment to quality content, local production, and technological innovation.