Warner Bros. Discovery-BT Joint Venture Being Probed by U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the joint venture between Warner Bros.

Discovery and telco giant BT.The entities had revealed a premium sports venture in May, for the U.K. and Ireland. The planned 50-50 joint venture would see BT Sport transferred to Warner Bros.

Discovery, meaning that BT Sport and Eurosport U.K. are operated together. The venture will have one of the most extensive portfolios of premium sports rights including UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, the Premier League, Premiership Rugby, UFC, the Olympic Games, tennis Grand Slams featuring the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, cycling Grand Tours including the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia and the winter sports World Cup season.

Launching an investigation into the venture, the CMA said: “The Competition and Markets Authority is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.”In the first phase of the investigation launched June 1, the CMA has invited comment on the venture, open till June 17.