ITV In The Clear For Acquisition Of SDN

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has cleared ITV’s purchase of digital multiplex operator SDN, with a two-month investigation into the deal raising no evidence for concern.

The deal, worth £134 million, was first announced in April, with ITV expecting its purchase to prove earnings enhancing from day one (see ITV Pays £134 Million For Multiplex Operator).

However, the ITV soon hit a stumbling block, with the OFT announcing its intention to investigate the deal, amid suspicion that it may have been uncompetitive (see OFT To Investigate ITV Over Multiplex Acquisition).

The latest ruling will see the acquisition go ahead, however, with no evidence of an Enterprise Act breach and no need for a further inquiry by the Competition Commission.

The purchase of SDN will enable ITV to launch more digital channels with greater ease, extending its digital portfolio in line with its stated aims.

The broadcaster plans to launch its latest, male-focused offering, ITV4, in November (see ITV4 To Launch In November).

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com