What is happening on the Serbian market of cable operators?

What is happening on the Serbian market of cable operators? Are we to witness monopoly and control or just a regular market and business move? Opinions by market participants and the very media differ.

CEO of “Telekom Srbija” Predrag Culibrk has stated that this company is negotiating with a certain number of cable operators and plans acquisitions of several companies in that field, and that “Telekom” has financial capacities for such plans, N1 TV station reports.

“N1 unofficially discovers that several hundred million euros have been set aside for these acquisitions and that “Telekom” is prepared to buy cable operators with whom it negotiates at a much higher price than the market one,” according to web portal of this TV station.

They evaluate that “Telekom”, which is under majority ownership of state, could increase state capabilities to control what TV channels will be included in the offer, via acquisition of cable operators. It is also evaluates that such a move is contrary to European legislation.

On the other hand, the company “Telekom Srbija” has denied claims that acquisition on cable operators would pose a threat, as state could subsequently control media, adding that it publically revealed those acquisitions two months ago.

According to statement, „we are wondering how company that currently has a 25 percent stake in the TV content distribution market can have monopolistic intentions, and not a company that already has more than 50 percent stake in the very same market.“

Izvor: N1

Foto: Pixabay

Piše: B.M.