Buys Italia 1 and Retequattro. 1990 Law safeguarding his concentration of ownership passed with help of Bettino Craxi, leader of Socialists. 1991 Beats rival tycoon Carlo De Benedetti for control of the Mondadori publishing group. Forza Italia party after Socialists and Christian Democrats consumed in corruption scandal. 1994 Elected prime minister as head of centre-right coalition which crumbles after seven months.
Magistrates launch corruption inquiries.
Narrowly loses to Romano Prodi's centre-left coalition in general election. Changes mind about selling Mediaset to Rupert Murdoch. Shakes off corruption charges and wins regional elections. They rival the three state-owned Rai networks. The flagship channel is widely watched thanks to blockbuster films, chat shows and soap operas.