Summary
West Australian Newspapers Holdings Limited - proposal to acquire the Mid West Times (a free, weekly home-delivered newspaper).Market definition
For the purposes of this acquisition, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) considered the relevant markets to be the markets for: (i) publishing and supply of newspapers; and (ii) supply of newspaper advertising services in the area comprising Geraldton and the mid-west region of West Australia.Competition analysis
While West Australia Newspapers Limited owns the other free weekly regional newspaper in the market (the Mid West Mail), the ACCC considered that barriers to entry are relatively low given technological advancements in desk-top publishing. In addition, the practice of letterbox delivery makes it easier for a new free newspaper competitor to attract readers.Consequently the ACCC decided that the proposed acquisition is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the relevant markets.
Merger type
Horizontal
Initiation
Parties