Press Release: Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of Premiere by News Corp, subject to conditions

The European Commission cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Germany's pay-TV operator Premiere AG by News Corporation (News Corp) of the US, subject to commitments which ensure third party access to Premiere's satellite platform. The commitments address concerns that the proposed acquisition may strengthen Premiere's dominant position in the pay-TV market in Germany. In view of the commitments offered by News Corp, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.