Alpac Capital media ownership shifts spark uncertainty in Serbia and Montenegro

The media landscape in Serbia and Montenegro is facing significant shifts due to changes in ownership involving the Portuguese investment fund Alpac Capital. In Serbia, satirist Zoran Kesić has expressed uncertainty regarding the future of his program, ‘24 minuta sa Zoranom Kesićem’, on the Nova S television station. Although a new contract was signed in June, Kesić reports that the new owners have not yet signed the agreement, leaving the planned September 19th season launch in doubt.

In Montenegro, the Commercial Court has temporarily blocked a change in ownership for Daily Press, the publisher of the news outlet Vijesti. The court's decision aims to prevent the Portuguese fund Alpac Capital from taking control of the influential media system before a dispute regarding minority shareholders' pre-emption rights is resolved. This follows a similar court action taken against a sister company, Televizija Vijesti, to stop a corporate maneuver by United Media involving the transfer of shares to Adria News.