Saban readies German funds.

BILLIONAIRE Haim Saban is in talks with leveraged buyout firms including Carlyle Group Inc. and Texas Pacific Group about joining his bid for control of Germany's top broadcaster, people familiar with the talks said.

Saban needs partners to help finance his $2.2 billion bid for a majority stake in the broadcaster, ProSiebenSat1 Media AG, along with Europe's biggest film rights library, the people said. Saban is also in talks with Black-stone Group LP, the sources said.

Saban, producer of the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers," agreed last month to buy the assets from KirchMedia GmbH, which filed for protection from creditors a year ago. The purchase would provide Saban with a rare chance to expand into the world's second-largest media market.

Saban plans to present the companies that will help finance the purchase by the end of May, the people said.

Thomas H. Lee Partners LP may also join Saban, according to a Financial Times report.

Also planning to join Saban is TF1 Television Francaise 1 SA, France's most-watched television channel, with a $110 million to $165 million investment.

Saban himself wants to pay between $439 million and $549 million and is looking for as many as four partners, the people said. Saban spokeswoman Elisabeth Ramelsberger declined to comment, as did representatives of Black-stone, Texas Pacific, Thomas H. Lee and Carlyle.