Advanced Television

Competition and Markets Authority

CMA provisionally clears Broadcom/VMware deal

A UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) panel has provisionally found software solutions specialist  Broadcom’s $61 billion (€57bn) acquisition of enterprise software provider VMware would not weaken competition in the supply of critical computer server products. The announcement follows a similar ruling on July 13th from the European Commission. Following its initial Phase 1 investigation, […]

July 19, 2023By Colin Mann

US court boost for Microsoft/Activision deal

The chances of Microsoft taking over video games publisher Activision Blizzard have been boosted after a US judge rejected a request from US regulators to block the deal. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asked a judge to block Microsoft’s $69 billion (€63.9bn) takeover suggesting the deal could “substantially lessen competition” in the sector. Judge […]

July 12, 2023By Colin Mann

UK blocks Microsoft/Activision deal

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has prevented Microsoft’s proposed purchase of Activision over concerns the deal would alter the future of the fast-growing cloud gaming market, leading to reduced innovation and less choice for UK gamers over the years to come. The final decision to prevent the deal comes after Microsoft’s proposed solution […]

April 26, 2023By Colin Mann

CMA expresses Broadcom/VMWare deal concerns

Broadcom’s $61 billion (€57bn) deal to buy VMware could lead to less innovation and drive up the cost of computer parts used by government, banks and telecoms, according to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Broadcom makes and sells specialist hardware components – such as network interface cards (NICs) and storage adapters – used […]

March 23, 2023By Colin Mann

CMA to review British Sky Broadcasting merger remedy

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is consulting on whether undertakings given by British Sky Broadcasting Group remain appropriate or need to be varied, superseded or released. The consultation will review merger undertakings given by British Sky Broadcasting Group plc in 2001 following a transaction in which it increased its shareholding of British Interactive […]

March 10, 2023By Colin Mann

CMA provisionally clears Viasat/Inmarsat merger

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally cleared the proposed merger between Viasat and Inmarsat following an in-depth review which revealed the business would likely face significant competition from both emerging and established players as the sector expands. While Viasat and Inmarsat compete closely, the merged company would be challenged by new competitor […]

March 1, 2023By Colin Mann

Cardell named CEO of CMA

The UK Business Secretary, Grant Shapps, has appointed Sarah Cardell as the new CEO of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Cardell has held the position of Interim CEO since July 2022 following the departure of Andrea Coscelli. Cardell was previously General Counsel at the CMA with executive leadership responsibility for the CMA’s Legal Service, […]

December 20, 2022

Study: Music streaming competition benefits consumers

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its final report following its independent study into the music streaming market and found that consumers have benefited from digitisation and competition between music streaming services. Prices for consumers have fallen by more than 20 per cent in real terms between 2009 and 2021 – with […]

November 29, 2022By Colin Mann

CMA probes Broadcom, VMware merger

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the anticipated $61 billion (€57bn) acquisition by semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions specialist Broadcom of enterprise software provider VMWare. The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant […]

November 22, 2022By Colin Mann

CMA investigates cloud gaming, mobile browsers

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a market investigation into cloud gaming and mobile browsers after receiving widespread support for its proposals first published in June 2022. The CMA consulted on launching a market investigation alongside its Mobile Ecosystem Market Study report, which found that Apple and Google have an effective duopoly […]

November 22, 2022By Colin Mann