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EU: Telia offers for Bonnier takeover

By  |  September 3, 2019

Swedish telecoms operator Telia will provide rivals with “fair access” to its TV channels in order to push through its takeover of Bonnier Broadcasting, according to reports.

Reuters, citing EU documents, reported that Telia will agree to provide TV distributors in Finland and Sweden fair and reasonable access to its free-to-air channels in order to allay EU antitrust fears over its US$957 million merger with Bonnier.

The deal, which was announced in July last year, would see the telecom integrate Bonnier Broadcasting, which is the owner of TV channels that are included in a rival distributor’s offering, including its free-to-air and basic pay TV channels and premium pay TV sports channels.

The European Commission announced in May that it would launch a full-scale probe into the deal, setting a September 19 deadline. Initial enquires into the deal found that Bonnier could potentially shut off its channels from rival TV providers, threatening competition.

Full Content: Reuters

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