About Estonian media market, a quick overview

A question came about Estonian media market and i give a quick overview:

The overall market is about 200 mio USD (per 2007).

There are 2 large media groups, working together and having a combined 90% of the share: Eesti Meedia, owned by Norwegian Schibsted A.S.A and Ekspress Group, owned by founder Hans H. Luik plus some tons of private investors, as the company was listed last spring.

These 2 have close relationship, they have mutual companies, Ajakirjade Kirjastus (Magazine House) that publishes almost all the magazines in Estonia. And SLÕhtuleht (Evening Paper) that publishes the leading newspaper, a tabloid. The publications they both own separately are Postimees, the leading quality daily newspaper, and Eesti Ekspress, the leading tabloid weekly. Plus some internet sites they develop separately. And they both own the Estonian largest printing houses and delivery systems. This is a large monopoly, that has close connections to government, the leading Reform Party. Mart Kadastik, the head of Eesti Meedia is close friend to Andrus Ansip, the prime minister and head of Reform Party. There is a tendency that media doesn't citicize the leading coalition, lead by reform party.

Then there is the niche publication, financial daily Äripäev, published by Bonnier Group from Sweden. And some niche magazines published by Finnish and Lithuanian companies. And a myriade of small niche cultural publications published by Estonian state.

TV market is lead by Schibsted's Kanal 2 (Channel 2), state television and TV3, that belongs to Modern Times Group (Viasat).

Radio market is lead by Schibsted's Kuku, Elmar and Uuno network (that Hans H. Luik sold to Schibsted), then state radio and some small niche channels.