ACM: Takeover media company Talpa by RTL leads to dominant position

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) concludes that the proposed amendments of the transaction between the media companies RTL and Talpa are insufficient to remove the concern that the transaction will lead to the creation of a dominant position. This conclusion is drawn after an investigation among advertisers and distributors of television channels.

The ACM will now prepare its official decision setting out the details why it will not grant a license for the transaction. This will take a few more weeks.

Background

According to the ACM, the merged entity of RTL and Talpa will become too powerful in the areas of television advertising and the distribution of television channels. This will lead to price increases for advertisers and distributors. Eventually, consumers will pay for these price increases.