32017M8564

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 22.8.2017

C(2017) 5866 final

PUBLIC VERSION

To the notifying parties

Subject:Case M.8564 - VIACOM INTERNATIONAL MEDIA NETWORKS ITALIA / DE AGOSTINI EDITORE / DEA BROADCAST JV
Commission decision pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 1 and Article 57 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area 2

Dear Sir or Madam,

1.On 28 July 2017, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of the Merger Regulation by which which the undertakings Viacom International Media Networks Italia S.r.l. (belonging to the Viacom group, "VIMNI", United States of America) and De Agostini Editore S.p.A. (belonging to the De Agostini group, "DeA Editore", Italy) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the undertaking DeA Broadcast S.r.l. ("JV", Italy), a newly created company constituting a joint venture, by way of purchase of shares. 3

2.The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

-for VIMNI: part of Viacom group, active in the development of television programs, motion pictures, short-form content, applications, games, consumer products, social media experiences and other entertainment content;

-for DeA Editore: part of DeAgostini group, active in publishing, media and communications, gaming, and financial investment services;

-for the JV: development of a thematic channel and its related website.

3.After examination of the notification, the European Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of the Merger Regulation and of paragraph 5(a) of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. 4

4.For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the European Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the internal market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation and Article 57 of the EEA Agreement.

For the Commission

(Signed)

Johannes LAITENBERGER
Director-General

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