U.S. businessman McNutt thought to be buyer of Index
American businessman John Michael McNutt, who said he bought the radio station Class FM in May, could be the buyer of the country’s leading online news portal index.hu, competitor origo.hu reported yesterday, though none of the parties have so far confirmed this information, according to reports.
Prior to being sold, Class FM was entirely owned by Adventio Zrt., which is a holding of Lajos Simicska and Zsolt Nyerges. Simicska’s Hungarian media empire has been shrinking since he had a public falling out with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán last year.
Reports in mid-June alleged that Simicska had signed a contract with index.hu owner Zoltán Spéder, also the owner of FHB bank, which has come under scrutiny recently, to give Simicska an option to buy the paper in the future.
Spéder appears to be the latest oligarch to lose favor with the government. McNutt and Simicska are “on good terms” with one another, according to origo.hu, so it is possible that the purchase is part of a longer-term plan by Simicska to eventually gain control of index.hu.
ADVERTISEMENT
Financial Transformation: Now or Never
Gov't Extends Deposit Rate Cap Till Year-end
Media Markt Sanctioned for False Advertising
'Creating CEElicon' Valley in Focus of HVCA Investment Confe...
SUPPORT THE BUDAPEST BUSINESS JOURNAL
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For 27 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.
Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
