The acquisition of Premiere AG, a German pay-TV operator, by the US News Corporation has been approved by the European Commission (Commission) subject to conditions. News Corporation is a media company that produces and distributes TV programming and broadcasting. Premiere offers TV channels to customers in Germany and Austria via a satellite platform and via cable. Premiere also gives access to its satellite set-top boxes to other third party German pay-TV operators, and as a result of this consumers are able to access Premiere's and its competitors' TV programmes via the set-top box. Following an investigation, the Commission observed that the acquisition may hinder access to its satellite platform by third parties and Premiere may consequently increase its dominant position in Germany's pay-TV market. Consequently the conditions imposed ensure that third party access to the satellite platform will continue after the acquisition by way of a sub-licensing agreement. The conditions have satisfied the Commission that the acquisition will not significantly impede competition in the market.
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