Competition emerges for ITV in pursuit of Peppa Pig owner EOne
Private equity giant KKR is said to be considering a bid for Peppa Pig owner Entertainment One.
News of the interest comes after ITV had a £1bn bid for EOne rejected last week.
Read more: Peppa Pig maker turns down £1bn takeover offer
KKR held talks with EOne’s main shareholder, Canadian pension fund CPPIB, before ITV’s approach, the Sunday Times first reported.
KKR already has UK investments in Pets At Home, the Trainline and other companies.
EOne, which is headquartered in Canada and listed in London, declined to comment, as did CPPIB. KKR has not responded to request for a comment.
Read more: EOne to ease off on acquisitions and let Peppa Pig bring home the bacon
It first emerged that ITV was considering an approach for EOne in April.
And last week, the broadcaster confirmed it was behind a 236p per share offer for EOne, which the target company said “fundamentally undervalues” it.
EOne’s share price shot up more than 20 per cent last week, from below 200p to around 240p.
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