Telefe changes hands: an Argentine businessman bought the leading local TV channel

In an unexpected turn, Telefe —the most-watched channel on Argentine television— was sold to an Argentine businessman. The news was confirmed by journalist Ángel de Brito, who shared key details through his social media accounts.

According to the host of LAM on his X account (formerly Twitter), the sale has already been finalized and the new owner is a national shareholder. "Telefe, finally sold to an Argentine businessman, as the main shareholder," wrote De Brito, adding that the official announcement would be made the following week.

A channel in transition: conflicting reports and a tense atmosphere

The news had an impact within the channel. There was an assembly among employees due to uncertainty about their job future, and he mentioned that some managers confirmed the transaction while others categorically denied it. "There will be controversy," the journalist anticipated.

The sale process would have been managed from Paramount's headquarters in New York, at One Astor Plaza, Times Square. Paramount Global, which acquired Telefe in 2016 for 345 million dollars, decided to part with the channel after its merger with CBS and Viacom. This time, the price would have been less than 120 million.

Potential buyers and Argentine interest

Among the candidates to acquire the channel were names with a strong presence in the media. The Werthein family, which manages DirecTV in Latin America and owns media outlets in Uruguay, was one of the interested parties. Gustavo Yankelevich —historic programmer of Telefe in the '90s— also sought to return to the station. Another player was Alpha Media group, led by Marcelo Fígoli, which operates radio stations, digital media, soccer clubs, and Parque de la Costa.