Polish regulator approves merger of ‘n’ and Cyfra Plus

Polish competition regulator UOKiK has approved the merger between Canal Plus’ Polish subsidiary Cyfra Plus and rival TVN Group, operator of the ‘n’ pay TV platform.

The pair’s strategic partnership will see the creation of a new unified platform with a base of 2.5 million subscribers.

Canal Plus is expected to take up to 40% of N-Vision, the company that controls 51% of TVN Group.

The deal is also expected to give Canal Plus a 51% stake in the merged platform, with TVN holding 32% and Liberty Global holding 17%.

TVN Group said it expected the deal to close before the end of the year. CEO Markus Tellenbach said the integration of the Cyfra Plus and ‘n’ platforms would begin immediately after the deal is completed in order to take advantage of planned synergies.