LN-Gaiety / Isle of Wight Festival merger inquiry

The CMA investigated and cleared the completed acquisition by LN-Gaiety Holdings Limited (Live Nation) of Isle of Wight Festival Limited.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 25 April 2017
• Last updated: 3 October 2017 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Recreation and leisure
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 25 April 2017
• Closed: 3 October 2017

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date	Action
3 October 2017	Decision published
14 September 2017	Decision announced
5 July to 19 July 2017	Invitation to comment
5 July 2017	Launch of merger inquiry
24 April 2017	Initial enforcement order

Phase 1

CMA clearance decision

14 September 2017: The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by LN-Gaiety Holdings Limited (Live Nation) of Isle of Wight Festival Limited. The full text of the decision is available below.

• Full text decision (3.10.17)
• News story: CMA clears festivals merger (14.9.17)

Extension of the 4-month period and the preliminary assessment period

• Notice of termination of extension (11.8.17)
• Notice of extension (28.7.17)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

5 July 2017: The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Launch of merger inquiry

5 July 2017: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement of initial period notice (5.7.17)

Initial enforcement order

On 24 April 2017, the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on LN-Gaiety Holdings Limited, in relation to the completed acquisition by LN-Gaiety Holdings Limited (Live Nation) of Isle of Wight Festival Limited.

• Initial enforcement order (25.4.17)

Amendments/consents granted:

• Derogation 22 June 2017 (23.6.17)
• Derogation 16 June 2017 (19.6.17)
• Variation order 26 May 2017 (30.5.17)
• Derogation 24 May 2017 (30.5.17)
• Derogation 15 May 2017 (16.5.17)
• Derogation 10 May 2017 (10.5.17)
• Derogation 5 May 2017 (9.5.17)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to:

Karina Kucaidze
Competition and Markets Authority
Victoria House
Southampton Row
London
WC1B 4AD

karina.kucaidze@cma.gsi.gov.uk

Published 25 April 2017
Last updated 3 October 2017 + show all updates

1. 3 October 2017

   Full text of the decision published.

2. 14 September 2017

   Clearance decision announced.

3. 11 August 2017

   Notice of termination of extension published.

4. 28 July 2017

   Notice of extension published.

5. 5 July 2017

   Invitation to comment issued and commencement of initial period notice published.

6. 23 June 2017

   Derogation published.

7. 19 June 2017

   Derogation published.

8. 30 May 2017

   Derogation and variation order published.

9. 16 May 2017

   Derogation published.

10. 10 May 2017

    Derogation published.

11. 9 May 2017

    Derogation published.

12. 25 April 2017

    First published.