Mexican broadcaster Grupo Televisa S.A. said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission Friday that it joined with five private-equity firms -- including Cascade Investment Group Inc., the personal investment vehicle of Microsoft Corp. founder and chairman Bill Gates -- to make a bid for Spanish-language broadcaster Univision Communications Inc.
In the filing, Televisa -- which already owns an 11% stake in Univision -- said it joined with Bain Capital LLC, Blackstone Management Associates V LLC, Carlyle Investment Management LLC, Cascade and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. to possibly make a joint bid.
Televisa has been expected for months to be a bidder for Univision, mainly because it already provides a large portion of Univision’s programming. Univision said it would explore strategic alternatives, including a sale of the company, in February.
Univision is expected to fetch $12 billion-$14 billion in a sale. Several media companies are also expected to join the bidding, as are other private-equity firms.
Univision shares closed at $35.92 per share Friday, up 30 cents each.
