M/23/038 – Mediahuis/Euractiv
Transaction details
The proposed acquisition by Mediahuis N.V. of sole control of Euractiv Media Network B.V. has been cleared by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
CCPC Statement 17 August 2023
On 11 August 2023, in accordance with section 18(1)(b) and 18(12A) of the Competition
Act 2002, as amended (the 2002 Act), the Competition and Consumer Protection
Commission (the CCPC) received a notification of an acquisition whereby Mediahuis
N.V. (Mediahuis) acquired sole control of Euractiv Media Network B.V. (Euractiv).
The CCPC has been informed by the parties that the notification is required to be made
under Section 18(1)(b) of the 2002 Act as it is a media merger and is being made
pursuant to Section 18(12A) of the 2002 Act as the acquisition already completed on 11
May 2023 without having been notified to the CCPC.
The CCPC has informed the parties that pursuant to section 19(1) of the 2002 Act, any
proposed merger or acquisition that is required to be notified to the CCPC shall not be
put into effect until the CCPC has made a determination in relation to the merger or
acquisition.
If a proposed merger or acquisition is put into effect in contravention of section 19(1)
of the 2002 Act, such proposed merger or acquisition is void pursuant to section 19(2)
of the 2002 Act
| Notification date | Decision date |
|---|---|
| Friday August 11, 2023 | Tuesday, September 19, 2023 |
| Parties Involved | Business activities |
|---|---|
| Mediahuis N.V. | Mediahuis N.V. is a privately owned European media company headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium. Mediahuis N.V. publishes print and digital news titles and also operates a number of digital marketplaces, radio and local television broadcasting businesses. Outside of the State, Mediahuis N.V. operates in a number of EU jurisdictions focusing on its newspapers, magazines, classifieds and radio businesses and also in commercial printing for its newspaper and magazine businesses. In the State, Mediahuis N.V.'s Irish subsidiaries are involved in the publication of a range of newspapers, including the Irish Independent, the Sunday Independent, the Herald.ie along with a number of regional papers, including The Kerryman and The Wexford People. Mediahuis N.V. also has a number of online classified titles and websites. |
| Euractiv Media Network B.V. | Euractiv Media Network B.V. is an online media company operating across the EU, through its online news portal to provide coverage of EU affairs, reporting on topics such as energy, the environment, technology, and the economy, including policy debates and legislative developments within the European institutions. Euractiv Media Network B.V. organizes events, policy debates, and conferences that bring together EU policymakers, stakeholders, and industry leaders, contributing to a better understanding of EU policies and their impact. |
| Economic sector | Media merger |
|---|---|
| Media | Yes |
| Submissions from third parties due by: | |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Phase 2 |
| Tuesday, August 29, 2023 | |
| Current status: Completed |
|---|
| Cleared (Phase 1) |
| Authorised Officer Assigned | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Iseult O'Kelly | iseultokelly@ccpc.ie |
Media enquiries: communications@ccpc.ie
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