British broadcaster Channel 5 will keep its commitment to commissioning a “wide range” of UK-originated productions following the merger between Viacom and CBS – a move that has satisfied Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries.
Viacom's Hawley Crescent offices in Camden Lock, London
The body investigated if the $30B (USD) merger would have any material impact on the broadcaster's news and current affairs output, its original productions, and on programmes it produces outside of London under the rules set out in the 2003 Communications Act but were satisfied that as Viacom and CBS are currently controlled by the same owners, the merger does not change who controls the licence.
The British regulator has concluded that the change in ownership of the network “would not have a prejudicial effect” on C5's delivery in these areas after reviewing its licence agreement.
Ofcom was notified of the merger on September 10 and David Lynn, President and CEO of Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), wrote to the regular on November 12 to explain the extent to which the proposed merger is anticipated to impact on the Channel 5 licence.
He wrote, “It has recently been announced that following the Transaction I will oversee the combined company’s international media networks, including Channel 5. I am therefore able to assure you that my UK team will maintain the same degree of control over programming and investment strategy for Channel 5 as prior to the transaction, and the same level of commitment to investing in a wide range of UK-originated productions.”
“We think the ownership and executive leadership of the new entity are relevant factors to the future of Channel 5, as these may affect the investment strategy and future commissioning decisions,” Ofcom added. “It appears to us that the transaction has a strategic and commercial rationale which is not to do with Channel 5 and therefore would be unlikely to affect its strategic direction directly.”
Ofcom is required by the Communications Act to review the likely effects of the change.
Viacom and CBS expect to close the all-stock transaction after the close of trading on December 4. On the next day, December 5, the companies will become a single entity, ViacomCBS Inc. Its interests will also include the CBS television network, the Nickelodeon brand and the Paramount film studio.
Update (25/3/2020): KEK in Germany has also ok'ed the move. From INFODIGITAL:
KEK: Keine Einwände bei Beteiligungsveränderung von VIVA Media und VIMN Germany
Im US-amerikanischen Medienmarkt findet eine weitere Megafusion statt: Die Medienkonzerne CBS Corp. und Viacom, Inc. schließen sich 14 Jahre nach ihrer Aufspaltung wieder zu einem Unternehmen zusammen. Die Unternehmensbereiche von CBS, darunter das gleichnamige TV-Network und der Pay-TV-Sender Showtime, werden mit denen von Viacom – unter anderem MTV Networks, Nickelodeon Group und Paramount-Filmstudios – unter dem Dach der ViacomCBS, Inc. zusammengeführt.
Hierfür wird die Viacom, Inc. laut einer Pressemitteilung der Kommission zur Ermittlung der Konzentration im Medienbereich (KEK) auf die CBS Corp. verschmolzen und diese in ViacomCBS, Inc. umfirmiert.
Von der Fusion sind mittelbar auch die im deutschen Fernsehmarkt aktiven Viacom-Tochtergesellschaften betroffen: die VIMN Germany GmbH als Veranstalterin der Programme MTV, MTV Brand New, NICK und nicktoons sowie die VIVA Media GmbH als Veranstalterin des Programms Comedy Central.
Die KEK hat entschieden, dass der Beteiligungsveränderung keine Gründe der Sicherung der Meinungsvielfalt entgegenstehen.
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Original sources: Deadline, Broadband TV News; Additional source: Google Translate.
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