# C_2008194EN.01002101.xml

| 31.7.2008 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 194/21 |
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31.7.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 194/21

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5281 — NBC/Blackstone/Bain/Landmark (Weather Business))

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/C 194/13)

| 1. | On 25 July 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings NBC Universal, Inc. (‘NBC Universal’, USA) controlled by the General Electric Company (USA), Bain Capital Fund X, L.P. controlled by Bain Capital Investors, LLC (‘Bain Capital’, USA), and Blackstone Capital Partners V L.P., which is ultimately controlled by The Blackstone Group L.P. (‘Blackstone’, USA) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Landmark Communications, Inc. (‘Landmark’, USA) by way of purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 25 July 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings NBC Universal, Inc. (‘NBC Universal’, USA) controlled by the General Electric Company (USA), Bain Capital Fund X, L.P. controlled by Bain Capital Investors, LLC (‘Bain Capital’, USA), and Blackstone Capital Partners V L.P., which is ultimately controlled by The Blackstone Group L.P. (‘Blackstone’, USA) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Landmark Communications, Inc. (‘Landmark’, USA) by way of purchase of shares.

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






  — | for NBC Universal: a diversified, international media and entertainment group mainly active in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for NBC Universal: a diversified, international media and entertainment group mainly active in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information,

| — | for Blackstone: leading global investment and advisory firm, |
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for Blackstone: leading global investment and advisory firm,

| — | for Bain Capital: global private investment firm, |
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for Bain Capital: global private investment firm,

| — | for Landmark: provision of weather information (for television, to businesses or consumers via various interactive platforms) and the supply of weather radar systems(other businesses of Landmark will be spun-off prior to the completion of the transaction). |
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for Landmark: provision of weather information (for television, to businesses or consumers via various interactive platforms) and the supply of weather radar systems(other businesses of Landmark will be spun-off prior to the completion of the transaction).

| 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) No 139/2004 (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) No 139/2004 (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 ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5281 — NBC/Blackstone/Bain/Landmark (Weather Business), 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 ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5281 — NBC/Blackstone/Bain/Landmark (Weather Business), 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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