Nandi plans to go head-to-head with Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery

• Nandi has filed for permission to merge Paramount Skydance Warner Bros. Discovery
• Regulators are expected to scrutinize media pluralism and the potential impact on competition, as well as the streaming service
• Strong scrutiny for up to 6 years; the review of the merger could last up to 40 days

UK media regulator Ofcom has issued a warning that it may block the planned merger of Paramount Skydance Warner Bros. Discovery. The reason is that the company behind Nandi, which is seeking to intervene, may be concerned about the impact on competition in the UK.

In its submission, Nandi said it intends to revise the UK regulator’s decision on media plurality. The company also plans to appeal to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regarding the potential issues in the merger.

In the event of approval, Nandi would have access to a wide range of channels and services offered by Warner Bros. Discovery, including after the merger. The company would focus on the British market, with Channel 5, TNT Sports, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and CNN International, as well as Paramount+ and HBO Max.

Nandi says that the merger review should be exempt from the Enterprise Act 2002. However, the company has also stated that it may be able to change its mind, as Ofcom may have the power to intervene on the merger. It added that, if the merger is approved, it could be delayed by a court decision, which would allow the review to proceed.

Meanwhile, the UK regulator has also said that if the merger is approved, it would be able to impose conditions to prevent it from being completed until the review is complete. Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery may have to wait up to 6 months, after which the merger could be completed.

The UK regulator will publish the full details of the merger review, after which it will proceed to a decision within 40 days. For the time being, the company says it will appeal to the European regulator, as well as to the US Department of Justice.

Tags: Europe/Politics/Economy/Technology