1996-1999: First diversification into other media, the launch of online editions, and international expansion
From 1996 to 1999, VOCENTO began to diversify its activities, making the most of the synergies in its local media business. In 1996, it acquired 25% (the maximum stake allowed by legislation) in Telecinco, via the company Sotelcin, S.A. (The stake in Telecinco is currently held by Corporación de Nuevos Medios Audiovisuales, S.L.), and it entered the telephone services business (audiotex) via Cotlan 900, S.A.
In 1997, the group acquired a majority stake in TESA, of 53.05% of share capital, and it developed its distribution business as a complement to the local press, based on various companies in which COMECOSA owned stakes: Beralan, S.A in the Basque Country; Sector MD, S.L (via Beralan, S.A.) for distribution to homes; and Cirpress, S.L. (distribution in Asturias).
In the same year, in order to manage advertising on the different media of VOCENTO nationally, CMXXI Corporación de Medios, S.A. was established. Prior to this, each regional newspaper had managed its own national advertising.
In 1999 VOCENTO embarked on its international expansion, and acquired 33.3% of Compañía Inversora en Medios de Comunicación, S.A. (CIMECO), the publisher of the newspapers La Voz del Interior and Diario los Andes, both in Argentina, the number one and number three most sold newspapers in the regions of Córdoba and Mendoza.
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