Communicorp / Cardiff Broadcasting / Gwent Area Broadcasting / Galaxy Radio / Real Radio / Smooth Radio [2014] IECompA m14006 (10 February 2014)

Communicorp / Cardiff Broadcasting / Gwent Area Broadcasting / Galaxy Radio / Real Radio / Smooth Radio [2014] IECompA m14006 (10 February 2014)

The Competition Authority found that the proposed acquisition would not substantially lessen competition in the market for radio advertising in the UK and therefore cleared the merger.

Parties
Acquirer: Communicorp Group Limited; Target: Cardiff Broadcasting Company Limited; Target: Gwent Area Broadcasting Limited; Target: Galaxy Radio Scotland Limited; Target: Real Radio (Yorkshire) Limited; Target: Real Radio North Limited; Target: Real Radio XS Limited; Target: Smooth Radio Midlands Limited; Target: Smooth Radio NE Limited; Target: Smooth Radio Limited
Jurisdiction
Ireland
Judgment Date
10 February 2014
Procedural Posture
Merger Clearance / Phase 1 Decision
Outcome
merger cleared
Legal Topics
Merger Control, Media Mergers, Radio Advertising Market
Competition Law Merger Control Media Mergers Radio Advertising Market

Case Brief

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Parties

Communicorp Group Limited

Acquirer

Cardiff Broadcasting Company Limited

Target

Gwent Area Broadcasting Limited

Target

Galaxy Radio Scotland Limited

Target

Real Radio (Yorkshire) Limited

Target

Real Radio North Limited

Target

Real Radio XS Limited

Target

Smooth Radio Midlands Limited

Target

Smooth Radio NE Limited

Target

Smooth Radio Limited

Target

Procedural Posture

Merger Clearance / Phase 1 Decision

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the proposed acquisition would substantially lessen competition in the market for radio advertising in the UK

Ratio Decidendi

The Competition Authority found that the proposed acquisition would not substantially lessen competition in the market for radio advertising in the UK and therefore cleared the merger.

Court Disposition

merger cleared

Orders

  • Acquisition of sole control by Communicorp Group Limited over the listed UK radio stations is approved.