Ownership change at TV Vijesti halted: Court imposes interim measure amid dispute over sale of majority stake

The Commercial Court of Montenegro has issued an interim measure, temporarily halting changes to the ownership and management of TV Vijesti. This decision came after founders and minority shareholders filed a request, citing disputes over the sale of the company's majority stake.

The court found sufficient grounds to preserve the status quo, preventing any alterations until the ownership dispute is fully resolved. In a ruling dated August 12, 2026, Judge Milica Saveljic prohibited an extraordinary shareholders' meeting scheduled for September 9. The court also barred the implementation of decisions that could facilitate changes to the company's ownership structure and representation.

United Media currently holds a 51% stake in TV Vijesti. The television station's founders, the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF), and other minority shareholders collectively own approximately 49%. The core of the dispute lies in the right of first refusal, a clause that typically requires a shareholder wishing to sell their stake to first offer it to existing shareholders under the same terms.

Founders and minority shareholders welcomed the court's decision, with Zeljko Ivanovic stating, "This isn't Serbia, Vucic’s private state. The institutions are doing their job." The court's ruling also blocks amendments to the company's articles of association and any representation before regulators that could lead to the transfer of the majority stake from United Media to Adria News, a company reportedly linked to Alpac Capital.

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This isn’t Serbia, Vucic’s private state. The institutions are doing their job.