Telia köper TV4, Cmore och finska TV3 av Bonniers

The Commission's initial market investigation identified the following main concerns:

• Telia Company's competitors in TV distribution in Finland and Sweden could be shut out from accessing Bonnier Broadcasting's specific TV channels that are important for consumers. This could concern any distribution platform of TV channels, namely by satellite, terrestrial networks or over the Internet. This could result in weakening the constraint currently exercised by competitors on Telia Company and could lead to higher prices of audio-visual services or less choice for consumers in Finland and Sweden.
• The merged entity could deny access to TV advertising space on its free-to-air and basic pay TV channels to Telia Company's competitors in the markets for retail mobile telecommunication, fixed internet and TV services.
• The merged entity could deny access to its streaming application to customers using competing mobile and fixed internet providers.

At this stage, the Commission is in particular concerned that, following the transaction, consumers in Finland and Sweden would face reduced choice and higher prices for retail TV distribution.

The Commission will now carry out an in-depth investigation into the effects of the transaction to determine whether its initial competition concerns are confirmed.

The transaction was notified to the Commission on 15 March 2019. The Commission now has 90 working days, until 19 September 2019, to take a decision. The opening of an in-depth investigation does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.

On 12 April 2019, Telia Company submitted commitments to address the Commission's concerns. However, the Commission considered these commitments insufficient to clearly dismiss its serious doubts as to the transaction's compatibility with the EU Merger Regulation.

Provisional deadline: 19.11.2019
Commitments submitted in N/2 on 12.08.2019