Advanced Television

Competition and Markets Authority

CMA provisionally clears Viasat/Inmarsat merger

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally cleared the proposed merger between Viasat and Inmarsat following an in-depth review which revealed the business would likely face significant competition from both emerging and established players as the sector expands. While Viasat and Inmarsat compete closely, the merged company would be challenged by new competitor […]

March 1, 2023By Colin Mann

Cardell named CEO of CMA

The UK Business Secretary, Grant Shapps, has appointed Sarah Cardell as the new CEO of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Cardell has held the position of Interim CEO since July 2022 following the departure of Andrea Coscelli. Cardell was previously General Counsel at the CMA with executive leadership responsibility for the CMA’s Legal Service, […]

December 20, 2022

Study: Music streaming competition benefits consumers

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its final report following its independent study into the music streaming market and found that consumers have benefited from digitisation and competition between music streaming services. Prices for consumers have fallen by more than 20 per cent in real terms between 2009 and 2021 – with […]

November 29, 2022By Colin Mann

CMA probes Broadcom, VMware merger

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the anticipated $61 billion (€57bn) acquisition by semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions specialist Broadcom of enterprise software provider VMWare. The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant […]

November 22, 2022By Colin Mann

CMA investigates cloud gaming, mobile browsers

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a market investigation into cloud gaming and mobile browsers after receiving widespread support for its proposals first published in June 2022. The CMA consulted on launching a market investigation alongside its Mobile Ecosystem Market Study report, which found that Apple and Google have an effective duopoly […]

November 22, 2022By Colin Mann

EC to probe Microsoft/Activision Blizzard deal

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission is concerned that the proposed acquisition may reduce competition in the markets for the distribution of console and PC video games and for PC operating systems. The deal is already […]

November 10, 2022By Colin Mann

CMA orders Meta to sell Giphy

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found that Meta’s takeover of Giphy could allow Meta to limit other social media platforms’ access to GIFs, making those sites less attractive to users and less competitive. It also found the deal has removed Giphy as a potential challenger in the UK display advertising market, preventing […]

October 18, 2022

Viasat, Inmarsat reassure CMA

Viasat is seeking to merge with Inmarsat. However, the proposed deal has fallen foul of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) which is examining the transaction and has expressed concerns. The CMA has confirmed it will raise its investigation to a Phase 2 level. A statement from Viasat and Inmarsat says that the pair […]

October 14, 2022By Chris Forrester

CMA: Viasat, Inmarsat deal raises competition concerns

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found the proposed merger between Viasat and Inmarsat with could lead to airlines facing higher prices for on-board Wi-Fi and has asked the pair to submit proposals to address its competition concerns. The CMSA notes that Viasat and Inmarsat are two of the largest satellite communications companies […]

October 6, 2022By Colin Mann

CMA to probe Viasat/Inmarsat merger

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has confirmed it is investigating the anticipated acquisition by California-based satellite operator Viasat of London-based Inmarsat. The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions […]

July 25, 2022By Colin Mann