Comco, the Swiss competition authority, will conduct a “thorough review” of the proposed merger between ticketing companies Ticketcorner and Starticket.
The merger was announced at the end of October, but Comco will carry out an investigation into the deal after reportedly uncovering evidence that the agreement could lead to a dominant player in the market.
The probe will last for up to four months.
“Following the preliminary examination, Comco has found evidence of the creation or strengthening of a dominant position, in particular in the distribution of tickets to third parties and in ticketing software solutions offered to organisers for their sale,” Comco said.
Ringier and CTS Eventim jointly operate Ticketcorner, while Starticket is owned by Tamedia. The new entity would be 75-per-cent owned by CTS Eventim and Ringier.
The three companies said in a joint statement: “The owners, CTS Eventim, Ringier and Tamedia, are convinced that the competition commission will decide, after careful consideration, that these companies do not hold a dominant position in the market and that they will endorse the merger.”
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