Johnston Press Score Deal May Be Referred To Competition Commission

Johnston Press’s possible takeover of Emap’s Score Press may be referred to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) after concern was raised over the companies’ combined share of Scotland’s regional newspaper industry.

Media watchdog, Ofcom, is reported to be considering the proposed deal, with the OFT claiming that the merger is “qualifying” and one that needs to be looked at under the “Enterprise Act 2002.”

Commenting on the situation, Tim Bowdler, Johnston Press chief executive said the decision did not come as a surprise, saying: “We’re of the view that there is no overlap in the titles. There is very limited contiguity in the north east of Scotland so in our opinions there should not be any regulatory issue.”

The OFT has invited for comment any interested parties while it decides whether or not to refer the deal to the Competition Commission.

The £155 million deal was conditional on Emap’s takeover of Scottish Radio Holdings, which was cleared by Ofcom, as long as the media group agrees to sell one of its two digital multiplex radio licences in Scotland (see Johnston Acquires Emap’s Score Press).

The move will see Johnston Press take control of Score Press’s 45 local weekly newspapers, with the sale helping to recover some of Emap’s takeover costs, leaving it to concentrate solely on SRH’s radio interests (see NewsLine).

Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk