Christoph Wagner

Deutsche Version

Christoph Wagner is a partner at Morrison & Foerster's German office in Berlin and co-chair of the firm’s global media group.

Mr. Wagner is a leading TMT, M&A and regulatory lawyer, with a particular focus on transactions and on strategic regulatory advice for the media and communications industries. He handled the acquisition of TV providers (VOX, TM3, Das Vierte, N24, Sky Deutschland, ProSiebenSat.1); the acquisition of TV rights packages (UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga, movie and series packages); and cable network operators (Unitymedia,Tele Columbus, PrimaCom, pepcom). He advised on telecommunications access and fee regulation, on frequency auctions (3G, 4G and 5G mobile frequencies) and the setting up of TV and VOD platforms (AdvancedTV, 1&1 TV), as well as in connection with a data platform/ single sign-on initiative (EnID) and a participation in a joint venture for autonomous driving.

Prior to practicing as an attorney, Mr. Wagner worked for the Berlin Media Authority, the European Commission and the European Parliament. From 2003 to 2007, he was alternate member of the German Media Ownership Commission (KEK). Since 2009 he has lectured on European Media Law at the University of Potsdam. He has authored numerous essays and articles on topics relevant to the media and communications industries, such as net neutrality, digitization, anti-piracy and cable consolidation.

Representative Matters

• 1&1/ United Internet on its initiative of funding a European Net ID foundation together with ProSiebenSat.1 and RTL.
• 2016 tender process for broadcasting rights for German football Bundesliga.
• 21st Century Fox on the sale of its stake in Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia to BSkyB.
• Viacom on the TV and video ad sales marketing joint venture Visoon with Axel Springer.
• Axel Springer SE, the leading German publishing company, on the acquisition of N24 Media GmbH, Germany’s largest independent news-TV channel.
• Representation in a number of large media and telecom transactions, including Haim Saban’s acquisition of ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG; News Corporation’s acquisition and re-financing of Premiere AG/Sky Deutschland; News Corporation’s acquisition of the TV stations Vox and Tm3, as well as the TV rights to the UEFA Champions League; further, STUDIOCANAL's acquisition of Kinowelt and Tandem; the privatization of the Babelsberg Film Studios; NBCU’s disposition of TV channel “Das Vierte” and the subsequent sale to Disney.
• Advice to Telefónica in the 3G/UMTS spectrum auction and the acquisition of a license for 16bn DM; advice on the merger of Telefonica and E-Plus; advice on several large cable transactions, including Tele Columbus’ acquisition of the competitors Primacom and pepcom, as well as pre-IPO advice; and the sale of Unity Media to LGI