The proposed £2.6 billion merger of Carlton Communications and Granada (see Ad Industry Welcomes Scrutiny Of Planned ITV Merger) may be subject to Competition Commission-enforced remedies and restrictions, according to an article in the Financial Times.
The FT says that this would be the first time the Commission has acted in this way; previously it has only suggested hypothetical remedies.
Morris is reported to be seeking to ‘pilot’ the new policy even though the ITV merger investigation does not fall under the remit of the revised rules. The inquiry into the takeover battle for Safeway supermarket would also get this test treatment under Morris’ proposals.
The Commission is due to report on its inquiry of Carlton/Granada on 25 June.