Decision Nº M/04/001 from Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, 2004-01-29

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Parties: Anglo-Celt,Celtic Media Group Limited
• Date: 29 January 2004
• Decision Number: M/04/001
• Status: Preliminary investigation (Phase 1)
• Court: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Ireland)
• Decision Date: 29 January 2004

Determination of the Competition Authority

Determination No. M/04/001 of the Competition Authority, dated 29th January,

under Section 21 of the Competition Act, 2002

Notification No. M/04/001 – Celtic Media Group Limited proposed acquisition of

The Anglo-Celt Limited

Introduction

1. On 2nd January 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 Celtic Media Group Limited (“CMG”), via a new subsidiary

company to be formed, would acquire sole control of The Anglo-Celt Limited

(“Anglo-Celt”) by acquiring directly 20% of the shares held by individuals, and

the remaining 80% which is owned by Oswestry investment Company, an

unlimited company. The Authority, in accordance with s 23(1)(b) of the Act,

notified the parties that it considers the transaction to be a media merger.

The Parties

2. CMG through its subsidiary Celtic News Group Limited (“CNG”), owns business

carried on by Meath Chronicle Limited (“MCL”). MCL is involved in two main

business activities; (a) printing, publishing and distributing the Meath Chronicle

newspaper (“Meath Chronicle”), and (b) contract printing for other newspapers. It

publishes the Meath Chronicle, a Wednesday morning weekly newspaper. The

Meath Chronicle has a circulation of around [] copies; [] paid and []

unpaid. This newspaper is targeted mainly at the Co. Meath readership. MCL

prints over [] other titles on contract basis. Meath Chronicle owns a state-of-

the-art [] printing facility located at Mullaghboy, out side Navan. This plant

was completed in 2002 and at full capacity it can produce [] full processed

colour copies per hour. CMG claims that capacity exists for servicing new

contracts.

3. Anglo-Celt operates out of Co. Cavan. It consists of two separate companies;

(a) The Anglo-Celt which is involved in printing, publishing and distributing

the Anglo-Celt newspaper. The Anglo-Celt newspaper is the only weekly

newspaper in Co. Cavan. It has a readership of between [] that is

targeted at Co. Cavan; and

(b) Celtrim Printing Limited (“CPL”) which is involved in the contract

printing of a number of regional, college and special interest titles. CPL

upgraded its printing plant in 2000. It has a printing capacity of []

copies per hour.

Analysis

4. Market enquiries indicated that The Meath Chronicle and The Anglo-Celt

newspapers do not compete for classified advertising. Similarly, market enquiries

indicated that they do not compete for readership.

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