Telefe changes hands: who bought the channel and for how much money

Telefe, the open television channel with the largest audience in Argentina, has been sold as part of Paramount's exit from several international markets. The transaction marks a turning point in the local media landscape and in the global strategy of the American giant, which seeks to focus on its streaming business and premium content.

Although the official amount was not confirmed by the parties, sources close to the negotiation estimate that the transaction was completed for about 120 million dollars. However, reports published in local media indicate that the purchasing group may have closed for 80 million, suggesting that the rest of the figure could correspond to liabilities or related agreements.

Who are the new owners of Telefe

The new owners of the channel are said to be three prominent figures in the Argentine media ecosystem: Gustavo Yankelevich, Marcelo Fígoli, and Juan Cruz Ávila.

• Yankelevich was programming director at Telefe between 1988 and 2000, a period during which the channel achieved remarkable dominance with iconic productions. His return represents a symbolic and operational move of great impact.
• Fígoli, head of Alpha Media, owns several radio stations—including Radio Rivadavia—and has expanded his presence in media in recent years.
• Ávila, meanwhile, is a shareholder and director at A24, the news channel of Grupo América, and also has experience in content production.

The business trio promises a new era for Telefe, combining experience in traditional media with a renewed vision to face the challenges of the digital age.

Paramount withdraws: global restructuring and layoffs

At the same time, Paramount Global released a statement confirming its decision to divest non-strategic assets as part of a structural redesign. The company explained that, due to the sustained decline in linear audiences and a challenging macroeconomic environment, it will prioritize investments in the streaming business, such as Paramount+.

"We are making difficult but necessary decisions to optimize our organization", the document stated, also anticipating that there will be workforce impacts outside the United States.

The company stated that any layoffs will be carried out in accordance with local regulations, and committed to supporting affected employees with "care and respect during this time of transition".

A key channel in Argentine television

Founded in 1961, Telefe was privatized in 1989 and experienced its golden age during the 1990s under Yankelevich's leadership. Since then, it has managed to remain one of the main players in the local market, with a consolidated audience and in-house production capacity.

The purchase by figures with a strong local profile suggests a possible re-Argentinization of content and strategies, in contrast to the more international approach that had been adopted under the management of ViacomCBS and, later, Paramount.