M/16/038 - Liberty Global / UTV Ireland [2016] IECompA m16038 (7 September 2016)

M/16/038 - Liberty Global / UTV Ireland [2016] IECompA m16038 (7 September 2016)

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission found that the proposed acquisition would not substantially lessen competition in the relevant market and therefore cleared the merger.

Parties
Acquirer: Liberty Global Plc; Acquirer (subsidiary): Virgin Media Limited; Target: UTV Ireland Limited; Seller: UTV Limited; Indirect Parent of Seller: ITV Plc
Jurisdiction
Ireland
Judgment Date
07 September 2016
Procedural Posture
Merger Control / Phase 1 Clearance
Outcome
merger cleared
Legal Topics
Merger Control, Media Sector, Television Broadcasting

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Liberty Global Plc

Acquirer

Virgin Media Limited

Acquirer (subsidiary)

UTV Ireland Limited

Target

UTV Limited

Seller

ITV Plc

Indirect Parent of Seller

Procedural Posture

Merger Control / Phase 1 Clearance

  1. 1 Whether the proposed acquisition would substantially lessen competition in the television broadcasting sector in the State.

Ratio Decidendi

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission found that the proposed acquisition would not substantially lessen competition in the relevant market and therefore cleared the merger.

Court Disposition

merger cleared

Orders

  • The proposed acquisition by Liberty Global Plc, through Virgin Media Limited, of sole control of UTV Ireland Limited from UTV Limited is cleared.