Scala Radio/ Wireless Group merger inquiry

The CMA is investigating the completed acquisition by Scala Radio LP (part of Bauer Media Group) of certain assets of the Wireless Group Limited business.

From:
Competition and Markets Authority
Published
5 March 2019
Last updated
21 November 2019 — See all updates
Case type:
Mergers
Case state:
Closed
Market sector:
Communications
Opened:
5 March 2019
Closed:
7 August 2019

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 Date Action
24 July 2019 Decision announced
29 May 2019 to 12 June 2019 Invitation to comment
29 May 2019 Launch of merger inquiry
1 March 2019 Initial enforcement order

Phase 2

For all information related to the phase 2 inquiry, see the Bauer Media Group merger inquiry page.

Terms of reference

7 August 2019: The CMA has referred the completed acquisitions by Bauer Media Group of certain businesses of Celador Entertainment Limited, Lincs FM Group Limited and Wireless Group Limited, as well as the entire business of UKRD Group Limited for an in-depth investigation.

Phase 1

Reference decision

7 August 2019: The CMA has referred the Scala Radio/ Wireless Group merger inquiry for an in-depth investigation.

Reference unless undertakings accepted

24 July 2019: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger has resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns.

Notification of merger inquiry to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

3 June 2019: The CMA brought the acquisition by Scala Radio LP (part of Bauer Media Group) of certain assets of the Wireless Group Limited business to the attention of the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport under section 57(1) of the Act, as the CMA considered that the transaction may raise public interest considerations under section 58 of the Act.

Invitation to comment: now closed

29 May 2019: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Launch of merger inquiry

29 May 2019: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

Initial enforcement order

On 1 March 2019, the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Scala Radio LP in relation to the completed acquisition by Scala Radio LP (part of Bauer Media Group) of certain assets of the Wireless Group Limited business.

Amendments/consents granted

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to:

Matteo Alchini

matteo.alchini@cma.gov.uk

Please note that, due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, the CMA’s offices across the UK are closed until further notice. We are no longer able to accept delivery of any documents or correspondence by post or courier to any of our offices.

Updates to this page

Published 5 March 2019
Last updated 21 November 2019 + show all updates

  1. Derogation published.

  2. Published: Phase 1 full text decision.

  3. Published: Decision to refer for an in-depth investigation.

  4. Decision announced: reference to phase 2 unless undertakings accepted

  5. Merger inquiry notified to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, as the CMA considers that the transaction may raise public interest considerations.

  6. Launch of CMA merger inquiry

  7. Published: additional derogation

  8. First published.

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