Brussels gives go-ahead for formation of Spain's largest pay-TV company.(European Union)(Via Digital)(Canal Satelite Digital)(Brief Article)

TV Meets the Web, August, 2002

TV MEETS THE WEB-(C)2002 Van Dusseldorp & Partners - http://www.vandusseldorp.com/

Spain's largest pay-TV operator is expected to be created following the European Commission's decision not to join the group.

The merger between Telefonica run Via Digital and Vivendi Universal/Prisa controlled Canal Satellite Digital, is expected to receive the approval of the Madrid government shortly.

Having recorded losses worth EUR122m for the first half of this year, and having failed to knock the main opposition from the top spot, Via Digital is under increasing financial pressure to do better.

The resulting company will have 2.5m subscribers- about 11-15 per cent of the Spanish TV market. Despite forecasts that pay-TV penetration will...

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