Australia: ACCC examines advertising outlets

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) is focusing on the merger of two of Australia’s most dominate radio companies in Melbourne and Sydney. Macquarie Radio Network and Fairfax Media announced their merger last month.

The merger would include stations in Melbourne and Sydney and requires the sale of one Sydney station to comply with rules prohibiting the ownership of two radio stations per market. The ACCC is concerned that the merger will control the advertising market and lower the quality of news coverage available within Sydney.

The ACCC, in anticipating the companies to argue that the internet and streaming news have drastically increased choice for listeners, is asking advertisers if they believe other radio stations or internet media can reach their target audience. The ACCC is seeking comments until February 3 and will deliver its decision by March 5.

The company was rebranded from Yellow Pages to Zap and discontinued printing the phone books which were the core business for 45 years.

Full Content: The Australian

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