Parties to the Transaction
Russmedia primarily operates a broad portfolio of media businesses in the Austrian province of Vorarlberg, including:
• the daily newspapers Vorarlberger Nachrichten and Neue Vorarlberger;
• online platforms (e.g. vol.at, laendleimmo.at);
• weekly newspapers and magazines (including RZ Medien, Vorarlbergerin, Kontur);
• radio stations (including Antenne Vorarlberg);
• and the television channel Ländle TV.
Moser Holding is a media company active in several Austrian provinces:
• In Tyrol, it publishes, among others, the daily newspaper Tiroler Tageszeitung and the online news portal tt.com.
• In Upper Austria, it publishes Oberösterreichische Rundschau and MeinBezirk.
• Together with Styria Media Group AG, Moser Holding operates the nationwide free weekly newspapers BezirksBlätter/MeinBezirk through RegionalMedien Austria AG.
• Through Lifestyle Magazin Verlags GmbH, it also publishes the women's lifestyle magazines Bundesländerinnen.
Investigation and Market Inquiry
Prior to filing the notification, the parties entered into pre-notification proceedings with the AFCA, the Federal Cartel Prosecutor and the Austrian Communications Authority (KommAustria). During this phase, the AFCA requested extensive information from the parties.
Following the formal notification, the AFCA conducted a market investigation, consulting regional and local media companies in Vorarlberg, Tyrol and Upper Austria, as well as major media companies operating throughout Austria. Participants were invited to provide their assessment of both the proposed transaction and the competitive conditions in the relevant media markets. No additional submissions were received.
The merger review was conducted in close cooperation with KommAustria and the Federal Cartel Prosecutor.
Outcome of the Investigation – Concerns Regarding Media Diversity
Following an in-depth assessment, the AFCA found that the proposed transaction did not raise competition concerns. However, the investigation identified concerns regarding a potential adverse impact on media diversity. The review showed that the merger would reduce the diversity of media providers in Western Austria. Furthermore, Russmedia could use its strengthened market position to further restrict media diversity in the already highly concentrated media markets of Vorarlberg and Tyrol.
Such effects could arise, for example, through the discontinuation of media products, editorial cutbacks, or restricted access to printing and newspaper distribution services.
To address these concerns, Russmedia submitted binding commitments.
Media Diversity Concerns Resolved Through Binding Commitments
The commitments offered by Russmedia will apply for a period of seven years from the implementation of the transaction and include:
• Editorial independence to safeguard autonomous editorial decision-making;
• Access to printing services for regional and local media companies;
• Requirement to seek third-party operators to continue print publications before any planned discontinuation of such publications;
• Home newspaper delivery: ensuring access for regional and local media companies in Vorarlberg and maintaining the current level of service in Tyrol.
• The seven-year duration of the commitments is considered proportionate in light of the need for traditional media businesses to adapt to changing economic conditions.