Sky acquisition by Comcast gets unconditional Phase I go-ahead from the EC

The Commission’s analysis centred on vertical issues, including whether Comcast (owner of NBC Universal) would be able to foreclose Sky’s competitors by preventing or limiting access to its content or TV channels, as well as whether Comcast’s competitors in the supply of content or TV channels would be at risk from customer foreclosure. The Commission concluded that neither of these theories of harm amounted to viable competition concerns. RBB advised Comcast alongside lawyers Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.