The Competition Authority is now reviewing the acquisition of Póstmiðstöðin ehf. by Árvakur hf. and 365 miðlar hf. However, through the merger, the merging parties intend to combine their distribution networks for newspapers, magazines and direct mail under the company Póstmiðstöðin, which they intend to operate as a subsidiary.
Árvakur is the publishing company of Morgunblaðið, and Torg ehf., a subsidiary of 365 miðlar, is the publishing company of Fréttablaðið. These are the country's largest newspapers. Póstmiðstöðin is a company that operates in the field of distribution, including for newspapers and bulk mail. Póstmiðstöðin is the distributor for Fréttablaðið and other media. Landsprent ehf. is a subsidiary of Árvakur and has, among other things, handled the distribution of Morgunblaðið and other media.
The merging parties have stated their willingness to ensure third-party access to the Postal Centre's distribution network. The Competition Authority has presented its preliminary assessment of the merger to the merging parties and given them the opportunity to propose remedies that would address the competition concerns otherwise arising from the merger. The merger parties' proposals for conditions that could be imposed on the merger were received on 12 October 2018.
The Competition Authority is now seeking the views of stakeholders on the merger parties' proposals.By this notice, the Competition Authority calls for the views of all parties who consider themselves to have an interest, etc.d. current customers of the aforementioned distributors, competitors of Árvakur and 365 media, and others who conduct any kind of business in this field or see a business opportunity in the market. The views of consumers are also sought.
It should be emphasised that the Competition Authority has not taken a position on the merger parties' proposed commitments.
For a more detailed presentation of the case, the Competition Authority provides access to the following documents:
Letter The Competition Authority's communication to stakeholders, dated 15 October 2018, which provides further details on the investigation of the case and the merger parties' proposals.
Proposal from the merging parties on the conditions for the merger, dated 12 October 2018 .
Submissions are requested no later than22nd October not known. The parties are given the opportunity to present their views, in a letter, by email (samkeppni@samkeppni.is) or telephone (585-0700).
