Business News

Axel Springer and Ringier withdraw request of antitrust approval for joint venture in Hungary

Monday 09. May 2011 - No impact for other joint venture activities / Combination of activities in Hungary still planned / Withdrawal of request due to procedural reasons

Both shareholders of Ringier Axel Springer Media AG – German Axel Springer AG and Swiss Ringier AG – withdrew their request of antitrust approval for combining the activities of both companies in Hungary. The withdrawal of the request has procedural reasons. The newly formed Hungarian Media Council recently gave a negative statement regarding the merger, which is binding for the antitrust authority.
The combination of activities in Hungary is still planned by both companies. They will decide in due time and after having thoroughly inquired into all options of action, if, and in what way a new request for a modified merger will be filed.
For Ringier Axel Springer Media AG, which is active in Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Serbia since July 2010, the withdrawal of the request for a merger in Hungary has no changes. The company will continue unchanged its clear growth course towards digitalization on the base of its strong core brands.