Sky Italia overtakes Mediaset

Rupert Murdoch’s Sky Italia has surpassed Silvio Berlusconi’s Mediaset to become the most profitable commercial broadcaster in Italy, and the country’s second most profitable overall.

According to data in the annual report of Italy’s communications regulator Agcom, Sky Italia’s €2.64bn (US$3.70bn) profit was second only to pubcaster Rai’s €2.72bn profit. Mediaset came third with €2.53bn.

Sky Italia “consolidated its position, becoming the second television group by revenues,” according to telecoms authority chief Corrado Calabrò. However, he added that Mediaset is still leading the media sector in terms of advertising revenue, while building up its position as Sky Italia’s competitor in the pay-TV sector.

“The most important thing is the bottom line – to continue to make profits,” said Mediaset chairman Fedele Confalonieri.