Global Radio appeal against the CC rejected – what you need to know
Nov 2013 Radio News RadioWorks Blog
In May, the CC ruled that Global must sell seven stations in order to take full control of GMG’s assets. The stations that the CC requested to be sold are:
East Midlands: Smooth OR Capital
Cardiff and South Wales: Real OR Capital
North Wales: Real OR Heart
Greater Manchester and the North-West: Capital OR Real XS with either Real or Smooth
North-East: Real OR Smooth OR Capital
South and West Yorkshire: Real OR Capital
Central Scotland: Real OR Capital
The tribunal did not find the Competition Commission’s ruling irrational and have rejected Global’s suggestion that the CC has misinterpreted the meaning of a “substantial lessing on competition”.
The report also rejected the claim that the CC had not considered any suggested sale of Gold, XFM or Real XS in Manchester.
The single line conclusion of the judgement document reads:
“For the reasons set out above, we unanimously dismiss Global’s application.”
A Global spokesperson told radio news source RadioToday: “Obviously this is a disappointing outcome. We share the concerns of many within our industry, who believe the basis on which the Competition Commission formed their decision to be outdated.”
