Abertis strengthens its TV network monopoly

chris

Spain's telco operator Abertis Telecom is strengthening its dominant position as the largest TV broadcasting carrier in the market following the acquisition of Madrid-based telco network Teledifusion Madrid.


The operation has ruined DTT licencee's plans to set up an independent broadcasting network to carry their signals out of the Abertis' orbit. Cadena Cope, Unedisa Editorial, Uniprex, Intereconomia TV, Kiss TV, Libertad Digital and 8Madrid had joined forces to jointly create their own network for the distribution of their TV signals, in direct competition with Abertis' infrastructure.

Abertis Telecom, also a shareholder in Eutelsat, is the market leader in the distribution of (digital, analogue) TV signals. Spanish broadcasters have accused the operator of charging them high carriage fees claiming the market needs to open up to other operators.

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