Spain: CNMC extends conditions for Antena 3 and La Sexta merger

Spain’s competition authority has decided to extend, for a further two years, the conditions imposed on Antena 3 and La Sexta when their merger was approved in 2012. The operation was conditional on limitations regarding TV advertising and the purchase of audiovisual content, among others.

The original resolution found the merger between the two broadcasters to “significantly increase ATRESMEDIA’s market share in the TV advertising sector, favoring the creation of a de facto duopoly consisting of ATRESMEDIA and MEDIASET (with the two large broadcasters controlling 85% of investments in the sector…)”.

The CNMC believes market conditions have not improved since this original assessment. Additionally, the reduction in the number of channels carried by ATRESMEDIA has done nothing to dispel the risks for competition in the TV and content acquisition markets.

Because of this, the Spanish regulating agency has decided to extend the limitations for two more years, as approved by the Council of Ministers in August 2012.

Source: CNMC

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.