November deadline for Ziggo, Liberty deal
August 26, 2014
European Union antitrust regulators will decide by November 3rd whether to clear Liberty Global’s bid for Ziggo.
The European Commission unveiled the new deadline after halting its scrutiny of the deal on August 4th while waiting for more data from the US cable company.
The EU competition watchdog restarted the clock after Liberty Global tweaked its pledge not to block OTT TV service providers such as Netflix from accessing its Internet network for four years, according to reports. That move was aimed at allaying EU concerns that the deal may reduce competition in the Netherlands, resulting in consumers paying more for cable services.
Liberty Global, controlled by billionaire John Malone, is keen to expand its cable empire in Europe which accounts for 90 per cent of its revenues.