The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission is concerned that the proposed acquisition may reduce competition in the markets for the distribution of console and PC video games and for PC operating systems. The deal is already […]

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found that Meta’s takeover of Giphy could allow Meta to limit other social media platforms’ access to GIFs, making those sites less attractive to users and less competitive. It also found the deal has removed Giphy as a potential challenger in the UK display advertising market, preventing […]

Viasat is seeking to merge with Inmarsat. However, the proposed deal has fallen foul of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) which is examining the transaction and has expressed concerns. The CMA has confirmed it will raise its investigation to a Phase 2 level. A statement from Viasat and Inmarsat says that the pair […]

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found the proposed merger between Viasat and Inmarsat with could lead to airlines facing higher prices for on-board Wi-Fi and has asked the pair to submit proposals to address its competition concerns. The CMSA notes that Viasat and Inmarsat are two of the largest satellite communications companies […]

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has confirmed it is investigating the anticipated acquisition by California-based satellite operator Viasat of London-based Inmarsat. 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 merger situation under the merger provisions […]

Following submission to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), BT Group and Warner Bros Discovery have welcomed the decision to approve the BT Group agreement with Warner Bros Discovery to form a 50:50 Joint Venture (JV) company that will create a new sports offering for the UK & Ireland. The CMA’s decision now allows […]

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating suspected breaches of competition law in relation to the purchase of freelance services in the production and broadcasting of sports content in the UK. The investigation has been launched under section 25 of the Competition Act 1998 (CA98) into suspected infringements of the Chapter I prohibition […]

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has confirmed it is investigating the anticipated sports joint venture between Warner Bros Discovery and BT Group. 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 merger situation under the […]

Wireless telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructure operator Cellnex must sell over 1,000 telecoms tower sites to address competition concerns over its purchase of CK Hutchison’s UK towers. Cellnex is currently active across several European countries, and CK Hutchison is a multinational conglomerate that currently owns and operates the Three mobile network in the UK. The proposed […]

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will ask whether the music streaming market is working well for music lovers, as part of a study into the sector. Streaming has changed the way we listen to music. In the UK, more than 80 per cent of recorded music is now listened to via a streaming […]