Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has blocked Axel Springer’s proposed acquisition of a 25.1% stake in the national commercial station Polsat “for formal reasons”. According to the UOKiK, the stake would have been acquired by FMV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Axel Springer created specially for the purpose, and potentially given Axel Springer more influence on Polsat than a 25.1% shareholding might otherwise suggest. FMV will now be required to lodge another application with the UOKiK if it wishes to go ahead with the transaction, stating that it will be taking joint control of Polsat rather than a 25.1% stake. The €250 million deal was announced late last year but criticised on the grounds that it could increase concentration in the Polish media, with Axel Springer already strongly represented in the print sector. The UOKiK launched its investigation this February.
