Greece’s Antenna Group has acquired the leading Italian daily La Repubblica in a major takeover in the European media landscape.
On Monday, it was officially announced that Exor, the Agnelli-Elkann family holding company, has sold its 100% stake in the Gedi publishing group to K Group, the holding company of the Greek Kyriakou family. K Group also controls Antenna Group, an international powerhouse in media, content production, and entertainment.
The landmark deal includes la Repubblica, the popular radio stations Radio Deejay, Radio Capital, and m2o, as well as HuffPost Italia, National Geographic Italia, Limes, and the advertising agency Manzoni. Notably, the transaction excludes La Stampa—which Gedi recently agreed to sell to the SAE Group—and Stardust, Gedi’s digital influencer venture.
Strategic vision and editorial independence
While the financial terms of the transaction remain undisclosed, Antenna Group has outlined an ambitious vision for Gedi’s future. The new ownership intends to leverage its global expertise in information, education, and entertainment to transform Gedi into a “robust international media company.” Central to this strategy is a commitment to strong editorial independence, preserving the unique identity, credibility, and pluralism of each acquired brand.
Antenna Group plans to inject significant resources into expanding la Repubblica’s circulation and supporting its award-winning newsroom. Furthermore, the group aims to scale Gedi’s radio business into a dominant Mediterranean hub while diversifying into documentary production, streaming, podcasts, and cinema—areas where Antenna boasts a proven track record.
Changes in the leadership of La Repubblica after the Antenna takeover
Following the completion of the deal, Mirja Cartia d’Asero will take the helm as CEO. A seasoned financial executive and former CEO of Sole 24 Ore, Cartia d’Asero brings extensive industry experience to the role. To ensure stability, Mario Orfeo will remain Editor-in-Chief of la Repubblica, a position he has held since 2024, while Linus will continue to lead Gedi’s radio operations.
“Antenna Group shares a deep commitment to integrity, editorial independence, and reliable information,” stated Cartia d’Asero. “We see immense potential for Gedi to consolidate its position as a benchmark for quality journalism and media innovation.”
Antenna Group, led by Chairman Theodore Kyriakou, also revealed it is in active discussions with strategic partners in the United States to further enrich Gedi’s portfolio with new news and entertainment brands.
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