Decision Nº M/04/037 from Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, 2004-07-14

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Court: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Ireland)
• Parties: Celtic F.C.,Setanta Sport
• Date: 14 July 2004
• Status: Further information required (Phase 1)
• Decision Number: M/04/037
• Decision Date: 14 July 2004

1

Determination No. M/04/037 of the Competition Authority, dated

14 July 2004, under Section 21 of the Competition Act, 2002

Notification No. M/04/037 – Proposed joint venture between

Setanta Sport (PPV) Limited and Celtic F.C. Limited

Introduction

1. On 17 June 2004 the Competition Authority, in accordance with

Section 18 (1) of the Competition Act, 2002 (“the Act”) was notified,

on a mandatory basis, of a proposal whereby Setanta Sport (PPV)

Limited (“Setanta”) and Celtic F.C. Limited (“Celtic”) would together

establish and develop a television channel, Celtic TV (“the proposed

joint venture”).

2. The proposed joint venture is a media merger, as defined in Section

23 of the Act. A copy of the notification was submitted to the minister

for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in accordance with Section

23(1)(a) of the Act.

The Parties

3. Setanta, founded in 1992, is a private company registered in the

State, whose core business is televised broadcasting of sports events,

such as GAA matches and boxing bouts. Setanta began by

broadcasting sports events to expatriate audiences in commercial

premises worldwide, via a closed-circuit satellite network. Setanta

owns and controls several subsidiary companies that fall into four

main divisions. Setanta Sport broadcasts sports events worldwide,

broadcasting to customers in the State and the UK on the SKY Digital

platform. Setanta Media provides mobile telephone content to network

operators, supplies website management services to third parties,

maintains Setanta’s official website, and publishes a sport magazine.

Setanta Screens hires out viewing screens for sports and other

entertainment events. Setanta Television produces a range of

television sports programmes such as quizzes and documentaries.

4. Celtic manages the business of Celtic Football Club, a professional

soccer club based in Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic’s principal business in

the State relates to retail activities. A retail store in Dublin’s Jervis

Shopping Centre sells official Celtic merchandise, which can also be

purchased through Celtic’s official website.

The Proposed Joint Venture

5. The purpose of the Celtic TV channel is to feature and promote Celtic

and the soccer matches to which it has rights, and to sell advertising

and sponsorship. It is intended to distribute the channel in the State

through SKY Digital, and possibly through other digital broadcasting

platforms. The joint venture would proceed through Setanta CTV

Broadcasting Limited (“Setanta CTV”), a company established for that