RPT-Prisa eyes offers for Digital+ by mid-Sept-sources
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MADRID, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Potential bidders interested in Digital+, the pay-TV service of Spain's Prisa (PRS.MC), have until mid-September to present non-binding offers, sources close to the matter said on Monday.
"In theory, on September 16 we should know who is interested in Digital+, and talks will be able to begin," one source said.
HSBC HSBC.L, which has worked with Prisa on other matters linked to Digital+, has sent initial documents on the sale of the unit to possible buyers, a separate source said on Monday.
A Prisa spokeswoman declined to confirm that the company expects to start talks with potential buyers for Digital+ from Sept. 16.
Prisa, which controls leading Spanish general news daily, El Pais, news channel Cadena Ser and several broadcasters in Latin America, has not formally announced its intention to sell Digital+.
The Spanish media company did say at the end of May that it was studying a possible sale of all or part of the pay TV unit, which UBS values at about 3 billion euros ($4.30 billion).
Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that its owner News Corp NWSa.N, was one of six parties interested in Digital+.
The US daily named Spain's Telefonica (TEF.MC), Vivendi (VIV.PA), France Telecom (FTE.PA), Mediaset (MS.MI) and Mexican magnate and owner of Telmex (TELMEXL.MX) Carlos Slim as the other interested parties.
Recent press reports have also tipped unlisted cable operator Ono and the UK's BskyB (BSY.L) as potential bidders.
One Madrid-based analyst said that Telefonica would be a natural buyer for Digital+ from a defensive point of view, since this would prevent other operators from entering the Spanish Telecoms market.
Digital+ has 2 million subscribers and its sale could help Prisa reduce its debt, which surged to about 5 billion euros with the acquisition of Sogecable, which operates Digital+
Spanish financial daily Expansion reported on Monday that Prisa wants to sell Sogecable by mid-October. (Reporting by Robert Hetz; Writing by Jonathan Gleave; Editing by Rory Channing)
