Public interest test on the potential merger situation in relation to Telegraph Media Group

Published: 1 December 2023
Consultation closes: 13 December 2023
Status: Closed (pending statement)

Ofcom has provided its advice to the Secretary of State. Publication of our advice and any decision on how to proceed will be taken by the Secretary of State.

On 26 January 2024, the Secretary of State issued a Public Interest Intervention Notice (PIIN) concerning the potential relevant merger situation arising from the proposed acquisition by RB Investco Limited of the Telegraph Media Group Limited.

At the same time, the Secretary of State wrote to Ofcom notifying us that she was providing an extension to report on her PIIN of 30 November 2023 with regard to the acquisition of Telegraph Media Group Limited by RedBird IMI Media Joint Venture LLC.

The Secretary of State has requested Ofcom to report on both by 9am on 11 March 2024.

Stakeholders wishing to provide additional evidence relevant to the 26 January PIIN may do so by no later than 6 February 2024. There is no need to resubmit evidence already provided to us in response to the invitation to comment we issued on 1 December 2023.

We previously published guidance on the 30 November PIIN on 1 December 2023. This guidance should now be read as if it also refers to the 26 January PIIN and revised deadlines.

Invitation to comment and guidance note - 1 December 2023

On 30 November 2023, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport issued a Public Interest Intervention Notice under section 42(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002, in relation to the potential merger situation in relation to Telegraph Media Group.

Ofcom is now required to report to the Secretary of State under section 44A of the Act. We must complete our investigation and report by midnight at the end of 26 January 2024.

Today we have published:

  • an invitation to comment on the public interest test concerning the potential merger situation; and
  • a note that explains the process and timetable for preparing our report.

We seek responses by 13 December 2023.

How to respond

Address
Public Interest Test Team 2023
Ofcom
Riverside House
2A Southwark Bridge Road
London SE1 9HA
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