Decision Nº M/05/071 from Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, 2005-12-01

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Parties: Fortunegreen,ANL, ITL and MI
• Date: 01 December 2005
• Decision Date: 01 December 2005
• Status: Preliminary investigation (Phase 1)
• Court: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Ireland)
• Decision Number: M/05/071

1

Determination of the Competition Authority, dated 1st December

2005, under Section 21 of the Competition Act, 2002 in respect of

Merger Notification No. M/05/071

Proposed acquisition of Joint Control of Fortunegreen Limited by

Associated Newspapers Limited, The Irish Times Limited and

Metro International S.A.

Introduction

1. On 4th November 2005, the Competition Authority, in accordance with

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

on a mandatory basis of a proposed joint venture between Associated

Newspapers Limited (“ANL”), The Irish Times Limited (“ITL”) and

Metro International S.A. (“MI”). The proposed joint venture involves

ANL, ITL and MI acquiring joint control of Fortunegreen Limited

(“Fortunegreen”).

2. The Authority advised the Parties and the Minister that it considered

the proposed transaction to be a “media merger” within the meaning

of Section 23 of the Act.

The Parties

3. ANL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Daily Mail & General Trust plc

(DMGT)1, is active in newspaper publishing and advertising. ANL’s

activities include publishing either by itself or through its subsidiaries:

 The Daily Mail- a UK daily, sold in Northern Ireland and in the

State.

 The Mail on Sunday- a UK Sunday newspaper, sold in Northern

Ireland and in the State.

 Ireland on Sunday- an Irish Sunday newspaper, sold in Northern

Ireland and in the State. Ireland on Sunday accepts display and

classified advertising, largely from Irish-based advertisers.

 Evening Standard- an evening newspaper, largely distributed in

Greater London.

 Metro- a free daily newspaper, distributed in Greater London and

other UK metropolitan areas.

 Buy & Sell- a classified advertising publication, sold in Northern

Ireland and in the State. Buy & Sell’s national edition is

published three times weekly. Weekly editions of Buy & Sell

(Munster), Buy & Sell (Northern Ireland) and Buy & Sell (West of

Ireland) are also published. Buy & Sell accepts classified and

1 DMGT is one of the largest media companies in the UK and it is active in publishing

national and regional newspapers, teletext, radio, exhibitions and information publishing.