英倫翻譯社/ Trsmaster

The Next Media sale is finally complete. A consortium led by the Formosa Plastics Group will buy Taiwan’s Apple Daily, Next Magazine and Next TV, pending regulatory approval. Many academics and opposition lawmakers hope that approval never comes, because they worry Chinese money is backing the consortium. A KMT lawmaker calls that concern ungrounded. 

After close to four months, a deal for Next Media was signed in Macau. Contrary to initial reports, it was finished early this morning and not Tuesday afternoon. After the deal was signed, Apple Daily made it headline news. 

Previously there were three buyers for the print and TV units, but a fourth was added to each. Stakes bought by each party also changed.

Originally Tsai Eng-meng was to control 32 percent of Next TV. Instead his share will go to Lee Tai-hung, chairman of the Taiwan Fire and Marine Insurance Co. To comply with Financial Supervisory Commission regulations, Chinatrust Charity Foundation Chairman Jeffrey Koo Jr. will get only a 20 percent share in the TV and print media units.

The other change is who gets the remaining 14 percent share in the print and TV units: Lung Yen Group Chairman Li Shih-tsung. The five buyers are involved in the food, petrochemical, banking, insurance, mortuary and building industries. Each is highly influential. Opposition lawmakers wonder why they’re interested in media.