The European Commission has approved the proposed acquisition of Bonnier Broadcasting by Telia.
The decision follows an investigation into both companies’ activities in the wholesale supply and retail distribution of TV channels in Finland and Sweden.
It found that Telia’s competitors could be shut out from the market by not having access to the merged entity’s free-to-air and basic pay-TV channels, premium pay-TV sports channels, streaming services and advertising space. Telia agreed to offer access, quelling competition concerns.
“We have today approved Telia’s acquisition of Bonnier, subject to remedies,” said commissioner Margrethe Vestager. “With the decision, consumers in Finland and Sweden continue to benefit from a wide range of TV channels and audio-visual content both through traditional TV and over the internet.”
