The European Commission has launched a full antitrust inquiry into Vivendi’s proposed acquisition of fellow French media group Lagardère. It is said to be concerned about the deal’s impact on French-language book publishing and also on the magazine market where the combined company would combine three celebrity brands. Mmm.
The EU will now have until 19 April 2023 to issue a decision in the case. Vivendi’s major media brands include: Canal+, Dailymotion, Gameloft, Prisma Presse and Havas. Lagardere owns Paris Match, Europe 1 and the Elle magazine brand.
