Haim Saban: Pro7-Übernahme wäre in USA nicht erlaubt worden

--- Haim Saban, der in Deutschland durch die Pro7-Übernahme bislang fast als Medienmogul berühmter ist als in den Vereinigten Staaten, wird heute von der New York Times porträtiert. Dabei geht es nicht nur um die pro-israelische Politik und das allgemeine Lobbying des Milliardärs. Auch andere interessante Aspekte kommen zur Sprache: A year ago, Mr. Saban beat out his one-time partner, Mr. Murdoch, and many other media titans to buy the broadcaster, ProSiebenSat.1 Media, putting him in control of a company that owns the rough equivalent of CBS, ABC, TBS and Nickelodeon. "That level of ownership would never be allowed in the U.S.," he acknowledged. "It would be too much concentration." Ansonsten hat sich Saban anscheinend mit dem Großeinstieg in Deutschland auf weitere Übernahmen und den Ausbau seines Imperiums vorbereitet: Since taking over the broadcaster, he has turned it around - cutting costs and sending it American hits like "The OC," a Fox Network series about teenage tribulations, and "Nip/Tuck," a drama centered in a plastic surgery clinic. Not only is the company making money, but Mr. Saban may finally be shaking a reputation that has long dogged him: that he has gone further on luck than talent. "It's easy to be jealous of someone like Haim," said Peter Chernin, president and chief executive of the News Corporation. "But I think the Germany situation has the potential to be not just a financial score but serve as the cornerstone of something bigger." That, Mr. Saban readily acknowledged, is the plan. As one of the richest people in Hollywood, he hears about possible deals constantly. He is toying with the idea of buying The Jerusalem Post from Hollinger International, which has been canvassing for buyers. "If they ever come to earth with the price, I would be interested in it," he said. He has also stirred controversy in Britain, where he publicly expressed interest in buying ITV, the country's biggest commercial network, while accusing its competitors, BBC News and Sky News, the news arm of the pay-TV provider British Sky Broadcasting, of pro-Arab coverage. Auch ansonsten hübsche Details in dem Artikel, etwa, dass Haban die wichtigsten Werbebudget-Betreuer der Republik auch schon mal zum Private Dinner mit Clinton zu sich ins Schlösschen in LA geladen hat.