Advanced Television

Competition and Markets Authority

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

CMA to probe music streaming market

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced its intention to launch a market study into music streaming. Following discussion by the CMA Board, CMA will now carry out work to consider and develop the final scope of the market study, before formally launching it as soon as possible. The CMA has written to […]

October 19, 2021By Colin Mann

Virgin, O2 merger given green light

Following a provisional clearance in April 2021, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is now allowing the proposed merger of Virgin Media and Virgin Mobile with O2 to go ahead. Both Virgin and O2 sell wholesale services to a number of mobile operators in the UK. Virgin supplies wholesale leased lines to mobile operators […]

May 20, 2021By Colin Mann

UK unit to oversee tech giants’ platforms

Tech giants will be subject to a new regime to give UK consumers more choice and control over their data, help small businesses thrive, and ensure news outlets are not forced out by their bigger rivals. A dedicated Digital Markets Unit, which will be set up within the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), will work […]

November 30, 2020By Colin Mann