ACCC not to oppose AUSTAR acquisition after undertaking resolves concerns

10 April 2012:  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will not oppose the proposed acquisition of AUSTAR United Communications Limited by FOXTEL Management Pty Limited after accepting court-enforceable undertakings from FOXTEL.  The undertakings will prevent FOXTEL from acquiring exclusive internet protocol television (IPTV) rights for a range of attractive television program and movie content including including:

  • Linear channels supplied by independent content suppliers, including  more than 60 linear channels that are currently broadcast by FOXTEL and many more that are broadcast internationally
  • Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) rights to current or past seasons of television programs that form part of a linear channel supplied by an independent content supplier
  • Movie linear channels (or movies for inclusion in a linear channel) from more than 50% of the eight major movie studios or more than 50% of the eight specified independent movie studios
  • SVOD rights to movies, except for an 18 month window in relation to the movie studios from which FOXTEL is not prohibited from acquiring exclusive linear rights.

Full story here.



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