The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has written to the European Commission warning of the consequences of the planned merger of Liberty Global, the majority owner of Belgian cable operator Telenet, and media groups Corelio, W&W and De Vijver Media.
In a highly unusual intervention the EBU says that after the merger a combined LGI and Telenet will not only act as a “gatekeeper” the cable network in Flanders, but will also be active in content production and distribution through ownership of the Woestijnvis production house and TV channels VIER and VIJF, not only directly competing with other broadcasters, but controlling their access to the cable network.
“The EBU considers that the merger could have a severe impact on competition in the Belgian broadcasting markets, since the new company will have the incentive to squeeze out other broadcasters from the network to build its own retail market share,” the organisation said in a statement, warning that without legal protection the merger could see an end to cross border carriage of public service broadcasters.
The EBU is asking the European Commission to impose remedies at least to ensure public broadcasters receive non-discriminatory and fair access to the LGI/Telenet network in the future.
