According to reports in the Spanish media, Vodafone and Orange have lodged separate appeals in Spain’s High Court over the conditions of Telefonica’s acquisition of Canal+.
Spain’s competition authority, the CNMC, approved Telefonica’s acquisition of Canal+ last April, despite competitors complaints that the deal would give Telefonica an 85% share of Spain’s pay-TV market and 70% more customers. The CNMC had originally accepted Telefonica’s commitment to allow its competitors access to a maximum of 50% of the ‘premium’ channels that comprise the group wholesale offer prices. Vodafone and Orange have asked this to be raised to 75% on an interim basis and have also raised concerns about exclusivity periods.
