Negotiations stall as regulator not convinced DPG Media should acquire RTL Nederland
The proposed acquisition of RTL Nederland by DPG Media is at a standstill after a year and a half of negotiations with the Dutch competition authority, the Autoriteit Consument & Markt (ACM). Despite ongoing discussions, DPG Media has not succeeded in convincing the regulator of the necessity of the takeover. The review process is now in a state of impasse.
The status of the stalled deal was revealed by trade publication Adformatie, which reported that DPG Media has proposed a formal hearing with the ACM regarding the acquisition. According to multiple sources cited by Adformatie, the ACM has agreed to the request and will allow the hearing to proceed.
During the upcoming hearing, DPG Media will have the opportunity to once again present its arguments for acquiring RTL Nederland. Market stakeholders will also be present at the hearing and will be permitted to respond to DPG Media’s position.
Several individuals involved in the process have characterized the hearing as a “wanhoopspoging”—a last-ditch effort—by DPG Media to salvage the acquisition. Neither DPG Media nor the ACM has responded to requests for comment.
The outcome of the hearing could determine whether the deal is allowed to move forward or faces further regulatory barriers. The ACM has the authority to block the acquisition if it finds the takeover could hinder market competition or reduce media plurality in the Netherlands.
