# C_2005192EN.01001101.xml

| 6.8.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 192/11 |
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6.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 192/11

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3907 — Bertelsmann/Channel 5)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2005/C 192/06)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 29 July 2005, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking RTL Group S.A. (‘RTL’), belonging to the Bertelsmann AG group (‘BAG’, Germany) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Channel 5 Television Group Limited (‘Channel 5’, United Kingdom) by way of purchase of shares. Channel 5 is currently jointly controlled by BAG and United Business Media Group |
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1.

On 29 July 2005, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking RTL Group S.A. (‘RTL’), belonging to the Bertelsmann AG group (‘BAG’, Germany) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Channel 5 Television Group Limited (‘Channel 5’, United Kingdom) by way of purchase of shares. Channel 5 is currently jointly controlled by BAG and United Business Media Group

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for RTL: broadcasting and media group, operating predominantly in the areas of free-access television, television production and radio broadcasting; |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for RTL: broadcasting and media group, operating predominantly in the areas of free-access television, television production and radio broadcasting;

| — | for BAG: publication of books and magazines, printing, direct and logistics services, book and music clubs, music, TV and radio broadcasting, content and rights and related services in the media sector; |
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for BAG: publication of books and magazines, printing, direct and logistics services, book and music clubs, music, TV and radio broadcasting, content and rights and related services in the media sector;

| — | for Channel 5: television broadcasting of free-TV, sale of advertising space, acquisition of TV broadcasting rights and operation of an internet portal. |
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for Channel 5: television broadcasting of free-TV, sale of advertising space, acquisition of TV broadcasting rights and operation of an internet portal.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (fax no (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3907 — Bertelsmann/Channel 5, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (fax no (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3907 — Bertelsmann/Channel 5, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32

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