A Spanish judge has rejected an appeal by Mediaset over the temporary suspension of its merger into MediaForEurope.
It means plans to roll its companies into a single Dutch-held entity are on hold until a Spanish court has decided whether or not it is lawful, a process that may take many months.
A spokesperson for Vivendi, which brought the original action said: “Vivendi is very satisfied with today’s decision from the Court of Appeal of Madrid. The MediaForEurope merger process remains suspended since the Court rejected Mediaset’s request to overturn the Commercial Court’s decision from last October.”
Mediaset argues MediaForEurope would help it compete more effectively against the likes of Netflix, but Vivendi fears it would tighten the grip of the Berlusconi family on the company.
Mediaset Eapana had brought the appeal that has now been turned down.