The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets has concluded a further investigation is needed into the consequences of the planned acquisition of RTL Nederland by rival media company DPG Media.
ACM says the acquisition would result in a media company with an extensive portfolio of television channels, video streaming services, radio stations, newspapers, and online news.
In a statement ACM warned of the effects of the acquisition on the “quantity, quality, and pluralism of the general-news landscape for consumers”.
In addition to the publications of newspapers including AD, de Volkskrant, Trouw, and Het Parool, DPG is also active on the Dutch radio market with national radio stations Qmusic and JOE.
RTL has several commercial television channels. In addition, RTL offers streaming services, of which Videoland is the most important one. RTL also offers general news online through its website rtl.nl and in its app.
ACM has raised concerns that the acquisition could allow DPG to reduce the quality and accessibility of general-news services by distributing news articles across multiple channels. It also fears it would strengthen DPG’s bargaining position within the ANP news agency.
DPG and RTL will now have to decide whether or not they wish to go through with the acquisition. If they do, they will have to apply for a licence for the acquisition. ACM will then carry out an in-depth investigation into its potential consequences.
