• Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Terms & Conditions for Advertisers
    • Mechanical Data

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • News Line
    • Central & East Europe
    • People
  • TV
    • On Demand/VOD
    • IPTV
    • Cable
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
    • Distribution
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Columns
    • Chris Dziadul
    • Julian Clover
    • Robert Briel
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • Features
  • Resources
    • White Papers

EC approves Discovery Scripps take-over

February 6, 2018 16.58 Europe/London By Chris Dziadul

The European Commission (EC) has cleared the take-over of Scripps Networks Interactive by Discovery Communications.

However, its approval is conditional on Discovery’s commitment to offer third party distributors the right, on a non-exclusive and unbundled basis, to distribute TVN24 and/or TVN24 BiS in Poland. The commitment will remain in place for seven years.

In a statement on its decision, the EC says that its investigation found that in the UK the proposed transaction would raise no competition issues given the limited overlap between the companies’ activities.

However, in Poland it risked increasing Discovery’s bargaining power vis-à-vis TV distributors because of the acquisition of certain channels that are particularly important in distributors’ basic pay-TV channel packages. In particular, TVN24, TVN’s flagship news channel, was identified as crucial to retail TV offerings. Following the transaction, Discovery would have had the ability and incentive to impose the licensing of its whole TV channel portfolio. This would have allowed it to increase its licensing fees to the detriment of Polish consumers and competition.

Significantly, the EC also says it rejected a request from Poland to refer the merger to the Polish competition authority (UOKiK) for assessment under Polish competition law.

It concluded that, given its extensive experience in assessing cases in the media sector, and the need to ensure consistency in the application of merger control rules in this sector across the EEA, it was better placed to deal with this case. Furthermore, it also considered that, to the extent that the transaction raises competition concerns, they are fully addressed by the commitments.

Commenting on the EC’s clearance for the take-over, David Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer, Discovery, said: “We are pleased with the positive decision of the European Commission.

“We believe that joining the Discovery and Scripps Networks’ family of brands and assets will allow us to better serve our passionate fans with more content on more platforms worldwide, while at the same time optimising our business for greater efficiency.”

As previously reported by Broadband TV News, Discovery agreed to buy Scripps last July in a cash-and-stock transaction worth $14.6 billion.

The deal, which is now expected to close later in Q1 this year, will significantly strengthen Discovery’s presence in Poland, where Scripps owns the national commercial broadcaster TVN.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Central & East Europe, Newsline, Regulation Tagged With: David Zaslav, Discovery Communications, European Commission, Poland, Scripps Networks Interactive, TVN, US Edited: 8 February 2018 12:43

Avatar photo

About Chris Dziadul

Chris is our Central & East Europe Editor. You can talk to Chris on Twitter @chrisdziadul or by email at cdziadul@broadbandtvnews.com

Latest News

  • MultiChoice anticipating significant loss
  • Real Madrid launches new OTT platform
  • EBU inks Rugby Europe deal
  • Successful first 6 months for ITVX
  • Telekom Srbija to buy Globaltel

Free Ebook

Whitepaper: Why Wi-Fi 6 is Key for ISP Success

Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E client devices are entering the home in an unprecedented way, surpassing 50% market share since their introduction in 2019 (compared to four years for Wi-Fi 5). … [Download the eBook...]

Q & A

Q & A: MainStreaming CEO Antonio G. Corrado

Broadband TV News sits down with MainStreaming’s CEO, Antonio G. Corrado to talk, streaming, latency, and ANGA COM.

Broadband TV News

  • Subscribe
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Logos & Pictures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Advertising

  • Media Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Mechanical Data
  • Video Services

News

  • Latest
  • Central & East Europe
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Streaming
  • Cable
  • Satellite
  • Terrestrial
  • IPTV
  • Business
  • People

Events

  • Events Diary
  • BTN Events
  • Submit the details of your event
  • Media Meet & Greet

Broadband TV News

PO Box 499
Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB1 0AH
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2023 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in

 

Loading Comments...