Sport1 holds rights in Germany to a range of top-tier soccer, motorsport, basketball, and handball, amongst other sports properties. (Jörg Schüler/Getty Images)

Turkish media group Acunmedya has struck a deal to buy a stake of 50% in German multi-channel free-to-air (FTA) network Sport1 for €30 million ($32.5 million).

The deal between Acunmedya and Highlight Communications, the parent company of Sport1, was first reported by German media late last week and since then has been confirmed by Highlight via a statement.

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The tie-up will involve comprehensive content collaboration, with programs made by Acunmedya now finding a German home via Sport1’s channels.

Highlight had confirmed in June last year that it was assessing its options regarding Sport1, with these including either a partial or full sale. At the same time, a major reshuffle of the network’s structure was enacted, with five “independent profit centers” created.

The completion of this agreement is still subject to approval from media and anti-trust regulators.

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Acun Ilicali, Acunmedya Group’s founder and owner, has said: “We are very excited about our partnership with Highlight Group with which we share the same vision and passion for sports and entertainment. We hope to create a success story together by delivering inspiring innovative programs to our audiences in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.”

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Bernhard Burgener, chair of the supervisory board at Sport1 Medien, added: “With Acunmedya Group, our company has gained an outstanding strategic investor as a partner. I have been observing Acun Ilicali’s impressive entrepreneurial development for a very long time and am firmly convinced that we can expand Sport1 and make it more successful together with him.”

Last June’s restructuring at Sport1 also involved chief executive Olaf Schröder leaving the company with immediate effect. He was replaced by Robin Seckler and Matthias Kirschenhofer as co-chief executives.

In terms of its top-tier sports rights, Sport1 covers domestic soccer’s men’s DFB Pokal cup competition, French soccer’s top-tier Ligue 1, as well as premium live action from the worlds of tennis, ice hockey, darts, motorsport, and basketball.