contrast competition update - Telenet’s cyclo-cross commitments accepted by Belgian Competition Authority

On 22 May 2024, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has accepted a series of commitments by Telenet in relation to the allocation and acquisition of broadcasting rights for cyclo-cross races.

The BCA had previously expressed concerns about the exclusivity-agreements between Telenet and the cyclo-cross organisers in question. According to the BCA these agreements were liable to exclude Telenet’s competitors from the market for cyclo-crossing broadcasting rights, and thus risked limiting competition for the supply of television services to end users.

In response to these concerns, Telenet has made the following commitments:

1. Transparency in Acquisition: Telenet will only acquire the exclusive broadcasting rights for the Superprestige, the UCI World Cup or the X20 Baths Trophy if these rights are sold through an open, transparent and non-discriminatory tendering procedure.
2. Limitation on Agreement Duration: Any exclusive agreement that Telenet enters into regarding the broadcasting rights for the Superprestige, the UCI World Cup, or the X20 Bathrooms Trophy will be limited to a maximum duration of four years.
3. Restriction on Exclusive Rights: Telenet will not acquire the exclusive broadcasting rights to more than 75% of the cyclo-cross races taking place during the same cyclo-cross season.

These commitments will remain in effect until the conclusion of the 2026-2027 cyclocross competition season.

For more information on these recent developments, you can consult the press release of the BCA here 👉 https://www.belgiancompetition.be/sites/default/files/content/download/files/20240522_Press_release_20_BCA.pdf.

Questions? Contact our competition partners Filip Tuytschaever, Herlinde Burez or Sebastien Engelen, or your usual contact at contrast.

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