Speculation and guff from the weekend papers…
— Mediaset eyes ITV: The Italian broadcaster controlled by Silivo Berlusconi’s family is eyeing a stake in the ailing broadcaster. Mediaset director Gina Nieri: “We are looking at a bunch of dossiers, including ITV (LSE: ITV), but there is no real negotiation.” Spokesperson Paolo Calvani: “As all other European broadcasters, at Mediaset we are closely watching the ITV stake owned by BSkyB (NYSE: BSY) to see what happens. It is our professional duty.” Via Reuters.
— Informa new bid?: The Providence/Carlyle/Blackstone consortium is considering a 475p-per-share offer for the B2B publisher and Datamonitor owner, after its 450p offer was swiftly rebuffed as undervaluing the company last week, FT says. But it may end up bidding for Reed Business Information, which is known to be on the block. A successful Informa bid looks unlikely yet – in a previous incarnation, the consortium had bid 512p per share.
— Allen for Endemol: Former ITV CEO Charles Allen is joining Goldman Sachs’ PE unit as a senior adviser will take a seat on the board of its biggest investment, interactive reality producer Endemol. That could be seen as a prelude to an Endemol bid for BSkyB’s ITV stake, or at least its production arm in the event of any break-up. Via FT.