Miramax parent company beIN Media Group enters fray to buy the embattled Weinstein Co

An attempt by Qatar-owned film company Miramax to buy Weinstein Co. has complicated plans to sell the studio to a group of investors led by former Obama administration official Maria Contreras-Sweet, the Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. In November, Contreras-Sweet put together a consortium of investors who offered $275 million for The Weinstein Co. [caption id=“attachment_4264353” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Harvey Weinstein. Image from AP[/caption] But Harvey and Bob Weinstein, who co-founded Weinstein Co. in 2005 and own about 46 percent of the business, have been trying to steer the company towards a deal with Miramax, the Los Angeles Times said. Miramax is owned by the Qatar-based beIn Media Group. The Weinstein Company has been looking for a buyer or rescue financing since last fall as the studio continues to grapple with the fallout of sexual harassment allegations against former co-chairman, Harvey Weinstein, who left the company three months ago. The company’s investment bankers at Moelis & Co have been focused on an outright sale, rather than a debt restructuring or bankruptcy. On Monday, Killer Content Inc, the movie producer that has partnered with philanthropist Abigail Disney in a consortium vying to acquire the Weinstein Company, said a bankruptcy may be the best way forward for the embattled US film and TV studio. Both Miramax and Weinstein Co could not be immediately reached for a comment.