Ringier Axel Springer Media AG: Entrepreneurs Daniel Kretinsky and Patrik Tkac take over activities in the Czech Republic

Zurich (ots) - Ringier Axel Springer Media AG, a joint venture
between Ringier AG and Axel Springer SE, has sold its Czech
subsidiary Ringier Axel Springer CZ a.s. and its stake in the Czech
press wholesaler Prvni novinova spolecnost a.s. (PNS) to the
entrepreneurs Daniel Kretinsky and Patrik Tkac. The company valuation
is EUR 170 Mio.

With the sale of investments in the Czech Republic, which are
primarily active in the print sector, Ringier Axel Springer Media AG
is focusing on further expansion of its business in Poland, Serbia
and Slovakia, where the Joint Venture already has a strong digital
fundament.

Mark Dekan, CEO of Ringier Axel Springer Media AG: "In taking this
step, Ringier Axel Springer Media AG will focus even stronger on its
activities that already have a leading position in the digital field
in their markets. I would like to thank the management and the
employees in the Czech Republic for our excellent and successful co-
operation in recent years. I am convinced that the employees will
have very good prospects for the future under the new ownership."

Daniel Kretinsky: "We are proud and grateful for the opportunity
to take over responsibility for this great media house in whose
successful future we strongly believe. We are aware of the challenges
traditional printed newspapers face today and we are looking forward
to the cooperation with the current management team led by Libuse
Smuclerova to find the right strategic answers and solution to them."

Ringier Axel Springer Czech Republic is one of the leading
publishing companies in the Czech market. Its portfolio consists of
print titles such as Blesk, Aha!, and Sport, as well as magazines
such as Reflex, ABC, GEO, Blesk pro zeny, Blesk Hobby or Svet
motoruu, as well as line extensions and supplements.

The completion of the transaction is subject to approval by the
relevant antitrust authorities. Ringier Axel Springer Media AG will
after the divestment of its Czech activities be active in Poland,
Serbia and Slovakia, where it is the leading media company. There are
further plans to bring the Hungarian activities of Ringier AG and
Axel Springer SE into the joint venture.

About Ringier Axel Springer Media AG:

Ringier Axel Springer Media AG was founded in 2010 by the Swiss
Ringier AG and the German Axel Springer SE and bundles the two
shareholders' activities in Central and Eastern Europe. The company
operates in the four growth markets of Poland, the Czech Republic,
Slovakia and Serbia with a broad media portfolio made up of more than
130 online and print services. The company has its headquarters in
Zurich and employs a total of around 3,100 people.

Press contact
Alexandra Delvenakiotis
Head of Corporate Communications
Ringier Axel Springer Media AG
Phone +41 44 267 29 14
a.delvenakiotis@ringieraxelspringer.com
www.ringieraxelspringer.com