Axel Springer : signs option agreement for the sale of its stake in aufeminin group to Télévision Française 1 S.A.

Axel Springer and Télévision Française 1 S.A. (TF1) have today signed an agreement according to which Axel Springer shall have the option to sell its stake in French aufeminin group at a price per share of EUR 38.74 to TF1. This corresponds to a premium of 45.7 percent on closing price as of December 8, 2017. The aggregate purchase price of Axel Springer´s 78.43 percent stake amounts to EUR 286.1 million. Until the closing the price per share would be increased by an interest rate customary to such transactions. It is envisaged to conclude a binding sale and purchase agreement after completion of the information and consultation procedure of the works council of aufeminin group legally required by French law. At the level of TF1 such consultation procedure has been completed already. In addition, completion of the transaction would require clearance by the competent cartel authorities which is not expected before end of March 2018.

aufeminin and its subsidiaries offer online portals, forums and product subscriptions for predominantly female target groups. In Germany, aufeminin operates the women portal gofeminin, the health portal Onmeda as well as the subscription box service My Little Box. aufeminin is part of the Marketing Media segment of Axel Springer SE. The shares of aufeminin S.A. are listed on Compartment B of Euronext Paris stock exchange.

Dr. Andreas Wiele, President Classifieds and Marketing Media, Axel Springer SE: 'In the course of the past ten years, together with its management we have expanded aufeminin into a successful group with large audiences and diversified revenue streams. TF1 is the logic acquirer to take aufeminin's growth particularly in its core areas e-commerce, video, programmatic and content sales on the French market onto the next level. This strategic value is also reflected by the premium of 46 percent on the share price. I sincerely thank Marie-Laure Sauty de Chalon, her outstanding management team and all employees for their ever-excellent collaboration.'

Gilles Pélisson, Chairman and CEO of the TF1 group, says: 'This acquisition, once completed, will be a major step forward in the transformation of the TF1 Group. I salute the creativity of the teams from aufeminin who will be joining us: they have demonstrated great talent in building their brand portfolios with their communities. Thanks to the innovations developed by aufeminin and My Little Paris in particular, we will be able to reach all kinds of audience via powerful and unifying verticals, and to offer new advertising solutions to brands. Backed by our own know-how, the aufeminin group will have every advantage to successfully continue its international expansion.'

Marie-Laure Sauty de Chalon, CEO of aufeminin, says: 'We are very proud to have developed our communities into iconic brands that have helped us quadruple our audiences, revenues and profits during our international phase with Axel Springer. We strongly hope that this new chapter with the TF1 Group will allow our people to continue to imagine and create, offering advertisers the power, affinity and influence that will help them build stronger and more lasting brands.'

Press contact Groupe TF1:

Corporate Communications
Virginie Duval
vduval@tf1.fr

Press contact aufeminin group:

NewCap - Investor Relations
Mathilde Bohin / Marc Willaume
aufeminin@newcap.eu