Media Merger Determinations

​​​​​​In accordance with the Part 3A of the Competition Act 2002 the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media conducts an initial 'Phase 1' examination of proposed media mergers. The purpose of this examination is to assess their impact on the plurality of media in the State.

Based on the results of this “Phase 1” examination the Minister makes a determination.

The Minister has three choices when making their determination:

• forward the merger to Coimisiún na Meán for further scrutiny - this is called a “Phase 2” examination
• allow the merger with conditions imposed to protect media plurality
• allow the merger to go ahead as is proposed

Further comprehensive information and guidance on the process is available in the Media Merger Guidelines; these can be accessed on our Guidelines page.

D&D Media Limited and Formpress Publishing Limited

Daily Mail and General Holdings Limited and News Corp UK & Ireland Limited

SSBL Limited and Viaplay Group Ireland Limited and Viaplay Group UK Sports Limited

Bauer Media Audio Holding GmbH and WKW FM Limited

Bauer Media Audio Limited and Light Blue Media Cambridge Limited

Bauer Media Audio Holding GmbH and Wilton Radio Limited

Bauer Media Audio Limited and Jack FM

Mayo News and Formpress Publishing – Media Merger 2023

Bauer Media Audio Limited and Sunshine Radio

Mediahuis N.V. and Euractiv Media Network B.V.

The proposed Acquisition of sole control of 8 transmitters used to transmit Slovakian radio station, Europa 2 by Expres Net, k.s. – Media Merger 2022

Bauer Media Audio Holding GMBH and MCR II – Media Merger 2022

M_2022_5 The Proposed Acquisition of FreeSports Limited and Premier Broadcasting Limited by Viaplay Group UK Limited. – Media Merger 2022

Siteridge T/A Red FM and Bauer Media Audio Holding GmbH – Media Merger 2022

The proposed creation of a Joint Venture between DigitalBridge Group Inc. and Liberty Global plc – Media Merger 2021

Bauer Media Audio LP and Imagine Radio – Media Merger 2021

Verizon and Apollo – Media Merger 2021

Bauer Media Audio Holding GmbH and Communicorp Group Limited – Media Merger 2021

Freesat (UK) Limited and Digital UK Trading Limited – Media Merger 2021

Rocket Sports Internet Limited and Benchwarmers Limited - Media Merger 2020.

Reach Publishing Group and Independent Star Limited - Media Merger 2020.

Greencastle Acquisition Limited and Maximum Media Network Limited - Media Merger 2020.

DMG Media and JPIMedia Publications - Media Merger 2020.

Formpress Publishing and River Media - Media Merger 2019.

Kerry Acquisitions and Clare FM and Dreamglade - Media Merger 2019.

Formpress Publishing Ltd acquisition of assets of Midland Tribune - Media Merger 2019.

Mediahuis N.V. acquisition of Independent News & Media plc - Media Merger 2019.

Classic Rock Broadcasting and Bay Broadcasting - Media Merger 2018.

Eircom Holdco and Toohil Telecom Holdings - Media Merger 2018.

CMNL and North Dublin Publications - Media Merger 2018.

Palariva (The Irish Times)/Sappho (Landmark Media) - Media Merger 2018.

Comcast and Sky - Media Merger 2018.

Virgin Media and Casey Cablevision - Media Merger 2018.

Twenty First Century Fox and Sky - Media Merger 2018.

Reach and Northern & Shell and International Distribution Limited and Independent Star Limited - Media Merger 2018.

See all previous media merger determinations.