Thoughts welcome on Global GMG purchase

03/08/2012 - 11:34 | 5 Replies More

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has instructed Ofcom and the Office of Fair Trading to carry out tests on the completed acquisition of GMG Radio Holdings Limited by Global Radio Limited.

Ofcom has started the procedure today and is asking for comments to be submitted to them by August 17th.

Ofcom’s report will then be sent by September 28th, and include gathered data and feedback plus their own advice.

The OFT, also submitting its findings by September 28th, has been asked to advise the Secretary on competition and jurisdictional aspects of the transaction.

Global Radio is treating the development as business as normal: “Global note, with interest, that the Secretary of State has asked Ofcom and the OFT for submissions on a public interest intervention following the recent acquisition of GMG Radio. We have already submitted a detailed paper articulating our views and opinions on this subject to the relevant authorities.”

Jeremy Hunt notes: “On the basis of the information available to me, I have decided that under all the circumstances and, in particular the concentration of ownership which will occur in some parts of the UK, the merger may be relevant to the issue of plurality, particularly in those areas.

“Accordingly, I consider it appropriate to issue an intervention notice in this case, and I am therefore asking Ofcom to prepare a report advising me in greater detail about plurality.

“In addition, the legislation requires that OFT produces a report on the competition and jurisdictional aspects of the transaction, notwithstanding that the merged parties have indicated they would like a fast-track reference to the Competition Commission.

“When I receive the Ofcom report I will consider their independent advice carefully before deciding whether the matter should also be referred to the Competition Commission for a more detailed investigation of the plurality concerns.”

Written by: Radio Today

Tags: , , ,

Category: Industry News

  • Peter Judd

    If Smooth Radio is left in its present format I have no problems but global’s gold is total crapp .
    polatstar69

  • frappy

    Whatever happened to local radio? The choice of radio in my area is somewhat limited now that Heart is blaring out everywhere. I’m now listening more to internet radio where I do have a choice.

  • http://www.facebook.com/doug.wood.925 Doug Wood

    Would the Government allow Barclays to own over 50% of the UK’s banks? Or MacDonald’s to own over 50% of the UK’s restaurants? etc etc. NO! Of course not, so why should Global own over 50% of the UK’s radio stations, once all great LOCAL stations, now destroyed and replaced by HEART, playing the same songs over and over again, next to no local output, and the most boring bland presentation I have ever heard. What ever happened to entertainment? The BBC national stations have big name presenters with personality, and the new community stations provide great local services while commercial radio does what it says on the tin, plays commercials. Bring back ILR, Independent Local Radio it was GREAT! but the suits have bought all the stations up, ripped the heart out of them and turned them into moneymaking jukeboxes. It’s time the Government woke up and put this catastrophe right. Sure their is a place for a couple of national juke box stations, the type you have on in the background, although if they are on in the background how the hell do you sell product on them, they are in the background, no one is paying attention? We need more radio that’s worth turning up, a good listen, fun, having a laugh, being brave, taking a risk, (Kenny Everet made his name from taking a risk, we loved him) then bring in the ads, that’s how it works. NO? then how??. Doug Wood.

    • http://www.facebook.com/ma.nesbitt Mark Nesbitt

      I know they too make money. but it is killing local Radio. Local Radio all from London. Not Good nor RIGHT.

  • http://www.facebook.com/ddwig Dave Wiggy Wiggins

    I Do Just Hope Jeremy Hunt Do Say No To Global And Do Not Let Global Radio Group To Have GMG Radio Stations Real Radio And Smooth Radio And Real Radio XS And Do Let Others Radio Groups UTV And Bauer Media And Celador Radio Broadcasting To Take Over GMG Radio Stations Real Radio And Smooth Radio And Real Radio XS Do Not Let Global Radio Group To Take Over GMG Radio Stations Real Radio And Smooth Radio And Real Radio XS Please Jeremy Hunt Please That Would Be Good

«
»