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R.T.I.-RETI TELEVISIVE ITALIANE/RAMO DI AZIENDA DI EUROPA TV


PRESS RELEASE



PRESS RELEASE



Inquiry into RTI-Mediaset’s Purchase of Europa TV



The Italian Competition Authority, at its meeting on 25 January 2006, decided to open an inquiry into RTI, Mediaset and Europa TV regarding the purchase by the Mediaset group of the transmission network division of Europa TV.
The goal of the operation is to allow RTI to develop a broadcast network using DVB-H technology so as to supply audiovisual programs on mobile terminals.
In the Authority’s view, such a merger operation will give the Mediaset group additional frequencies which, after being converted from analogue to digital, will create a third multiplex in the digital broadcasting market.
In effect, the purchase of Europa TV further increases the buyer’s transmission capacity and accentuates its competitive position, specifically in digital television broadcasting. The operation could therefore mean that the Mediaset group, which already has a weighty presence in the market upstream of this infrastructure, acquires a dominant position in national networks for the transmission of terrestrial television signals.
The inquiry must be completed within 45 days from its commencement.


Rome, 27 January 2006