Bundeskartellamt imposes fines on TV studio operators

The Bundeskartellamt has imposed fines amounting to a total of approx. 3.1 million euros on Studio Berlin Adlershof (SBA) GmbH, its affiliate Studio Berlin Broadcast GmbH (both located in Berlin) and Bavaria Studios & Production Services GmbH, based in Grünwald near Munich, on account of their participation in an anti-competitive information exchange. The Bundeskartellamt's investigations were triggered by a leniency application filed by MMC Studios Köln GmbH which was also involved in the exchange of information. In accordance with the Bundeskartellamt's leniency programme no fine was imposed on this company.

From September 2011 until December 2014 regular meetings and other personal contacts took place between the representatives of the companies involved. They exchanged information on prices, details of offers made by them, their supply behaviour and other competitively sensitive information.

Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt: "By sharing sensitive information such as e.g. their price calculation, the parties aimed to reduce price competition in the operation of studios for television and film productions and to improve their companies' revenue situation. Such an extensive flow of information between competitors can restrict competition in the same way as price agreements."

In calculating the fines the Bundeskartellamt took account of the fact that the parties had cooperated extensively with the authority throughout the proceedings. Furthermore, settlements could be reached with the companies involved, which also helped to reduce the level of their fines.

The fining decisions are not yet final and can be appealed to the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court.