The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has cleared the acquisition of Viaplay Nederland by Videoland, a streaming service owned by DPG Media. The authority's investigation concluded that the acquisition would not adversely affect viewers, sports broadcasting rights procurement, or advertising markets.

Videoland will temporarily acquire Viaplay Nederland's sports licenses and subscribers, which include rights to major sporting events like Formula 1 and Premier League matches. These licenses are set to expire, allowing other interested parties to bid for them once they do.

ACM noted that Viaplay Nederland is a relatively small competitor, and the acquisition would only slightly increase DPG Media's market share. The authority found that the addition of Viaplay's sports content complements Videoland's existing offerings, which primarily consist of films and series.

Furthermore, ACM assessed the impact on the advertising market and determined that competition would remain robust. The authority's previous investigations into DPG Media's acquisitions indicated a strong position in television advertising, but the limited viewer share of Viaplay means that advertisers will still have ample alternatives.

In conclusion, ACM found that the acquisition would not significantly restrict competition in the Dutch market, allowing the parties to proceed without requiring a license.