Acquisition in growth market Russia

Munich, 12.12.2006 - CTS EVENTIM AG, listed on the SDAX exchange (ISIN DE 0005470306), announces its acquisition of 51% of the shares in Zritel o.o.o., domiciled in Moscow. Zritel (Russian for “spectator”) is the biggest private ticketing provider in Russia and operates the ticketing platforms Parter and Kontramarka that will generate revenues of app. US$ 5 million in the current business year. Zritel is also operating the two large Russian internet ticket portals at www.parter.ru and www.kontramarka.ru.  
 
The Zritel Company, which will finish the current business year with a profit, provides ticketing services to several hundred Russian event promoters and theatres and, in addition to the sales channels of internet and call centre, entertains a significant number of box offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Over the Zritel platforms, tickets are made available for concerts of international stars as well as for all major theatres in Moscow.  
 
By acquiring Zritel, the EVENTIM Group successfully carries forward its strategy of internationalising its ticketing operations, further reinforcing its position as European market leader in the ticketing field. In Russia, a market of high strategic importance, EVENTIM gains market leadership immediately and plans to further extend that market position through co-operations and investments. Being able to draw on the existing European network of sales and content partners, the EVENTIM ticketing solutions proven in Germany in many other European markets will enable Zritel to establish a comprehensive state-of-the-art ticketing network in Russia.  
 
An additional purchase option that is part of the transaction gives EVENTIM the possibility to acquire the remaining 49% of the shares in Zritel over the medium term. The parties have agreed to keep the purchase price confidential.
 
For further information, contact Klaus-Peter Schulenberg, CEO, at +49 421 3666-201