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Germany: Online streaming service blocked ahead of launch

By  |  September 17, 2013

A streaming service launch, initiated by various media companies in Germany, was blocked by federal competition regulators ahead of its debut for antitrust concerns, say reports.

Germany’s competition regulator ruled that the streaming service could have violated antirust law because it would have involved price manipulation and exclusive dealing regarding streaming programs.

The ruling highlighted the project’s involvement by certain public broadcasters, which the regulator said must be governed by same competition rules as private companies.

The service, called Germany’s Gold, was found to have been financed through fees and price-fixing, according to a ruling by the watchdog.

ZDF Enterprises, Beta Film and Brainpool were among the companies involved in the project.

Full Content: Television Business International Vision

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