Advanced Television

Competition and Markets Authority

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

Green light for BT/WBD sports JV

Following submission to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), BT Group and Warner Bros Discovery have welcomed the decision to approve the BT Group agreement with Warner Bros Discovery to form a 50:50 Joint Venture (JV) company that will create a new sports offering for the UK & Ireland. The CMA’s decision now allows […]

July 22, 2022By Colin Mann

Sportscasters face freelance staff competition probe

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating suspected breaches of competition law in relation to the purchase of freelance services in the production and broadcasting of sports content in the UK. The investigation has been launched under section 25 of the Competition Act 1998 (CA98) into suspected infringements of the Chapter I prohibition […]

July 13, 2022By Colin Mann

CMA to probe WBD/BT JV

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has confirmed it is investigating the anticipated sports joint venture between Warner Bros Discovery and BT Group. 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 […]

June 1, 2022By Colin Mann

Cellnex tower sale addresses merger concerns

Wireless telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructure operator Cellnex must sell over 1,000 telecoms tower sites to address competition concerns over its purchase of CK Hutchison’s UK towers. Cellnex is currently active across several European countries, and CK Hutchison is a multinational conglomerate that currently owns and operates the Three mobile network in the UK. The proposed […]

March 4, 2022By Colin Mann

CMA to probe music streaming market

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will ask whether the music streaming market is working well for music lovers, as part of a study into the sector. Streaming has changed the way we listen to music. In the UK, more than 80 per cent of recorded music is now listened to via a streaming […]

January 27, 2022By Colin Mann

CMA directs Facebook to sell Giphy

In line with its Phase 2 provisional findings issued in August 2021, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that Facebook’s acquisition of Giphy would reduce competition between social media platforms and that the deal has already removed Giphy as a potential challenger in the display advertising market. The independent CMA panel reviewing […]

November 30, 2021

UK: Facebook fined £50m for enforcement breach

Facebook has been fined £50.5 million (€60m) for breaching an order imposed by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) during its investigation into Facebook’s purchase of Giphy. It is standard practice to issue an initial enforcement order (IEO) at the start of an investigation into a completed acquisition. This ensures that companies continue to […]

October 20, 2021By Colin Mann