The larger end of Germany's buy-out scene was the hottest market in Europe last year and momentum is continuing with the focus on the cable television industry.

Bankers believe Apax, Providence Equity Partners and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, which own Kabel Deutschland (KDG), a regional network provider, are set to acquire ish, a rival worth €1.3bn ($1.6bn). The bankers said Deutsche Bank, one of ish's owners, will supply debt to finance the deal. One added that Apollo Management, owner of iesy, another regional network provider, was considering joining forces with KDG.