Ekspress Grupp Sells Lithuanian News Portal Lrytas
Baltic media group Ekspress Grupp is selling its 100% stake in the Lithuanian news portal Lrytas to UAB Admisa, a company controlled by well-known Lithuanian producer and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the television channel Lietuvos rytas, Rolandas Skaisgirys. The Lithuanian Competition Council has approved the transaction.
The sale follows a lengthy regulatory process that began in 2023, when the Lithuanian Competition Council initiated an investigation into the acquisition of Lrytas. In February 2025, the authority issued a decision requiring Ekspress Grupp to divest its stake in the Lithuanian news portal or otherwise eliminate the effects of the acquisition.
Lrytas will continue operating as a news portal under its new owner. Upon completion of the transaction, UAB Admisa will also assume responsibility for matters related to employees.
“The lengthy process with the Competition Council has prevented us from fully realising Lrytas’ potential,” said Mari-Liis Rüütsalu, Chairwoman of the Management Board of Ekspress Grupp. “This transaction allows us to comply with regulatory requirements while ensuring that Lrytas moves forward in the hands of an owner who is committed to the portal’s continued development.”
Rolandas Skaisgirys, CEO of the acquiring company UAB Admisa, is confident in Lrytas’ future potential.
“We believe in the opportunity to leverage the natural synergy between Lietuvos rytas television and the lrytas.lt portal and to achieve a breakthrough in development. Quality journalism and strong, independent media are particularly important in today’s context. Editorial independence, high ethical standards, and journalistic integrity are the core values of this media outlet,” said Rolandas Skaisgirys.
The Lithuanian Competition Council has already approved the transaction. Completion of the deal is planned by the end of 2025. The parties have agreed that the purchase price and other commercial terms will remain confidential.
For Ekspress Grupp, the transaction will result in a one-off net loss of approximately EUR 2.3 million. Lrytas currently accounts for around 5% of Ekspress Grupp’s total revenue and 2% of its EBITDA.
Ekspress Grupp will continue to focus on its operations in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, where it operates the leading news portal Delfi.lt and maintains strong market positions across its core Baltic markets.
Rolandas Skaisgirys
CEO, UAB Admisa
+370 686 79889
rolandas@videometra.lt