KIEV, Aug. 25 - U.S. billionaire Ronald Lauder, who owns 60% stake in Ukraine's second most popular television network, Studio 1+1, blocked acquisition of the remaining 40% by a Ukrainian mogul, the television said Thursday.

Lauder, the owner of Central European Media Enterprises (CME), held talks with Ihor Kolomoyskiy, who co-owns Privatbank, Ukraine's biggest bank, over the acquisition and had decided to block the deal, the television said.