THEAGCOM freezes the impetus of Vivendi, which rose to 20% in a few days Mediaset and according to some decided to try the climb. In fact, the Authority informs that "operations aimed at concentrating control" of Telecom Italia and the Biscione "could be prohibited", because the Consolidated Text of Audiovisual and Radio Media Services establishes a "prohibition to exceed the control ceilings".
In the light of "a preliminary analysis of 2015 data - writes Agcom - Telecom Italia, whose majority shareholder is the Vivendi group with a share capital of 24,68%, is the main operator in the electronic communications market, holding 44,7% of the share in the main telecommunications market. Mediaset, a company operating in the media and publishing sector, whose majority shareholder is the Fininvest group with 34,7% of the capital, reached a share of 2015% of the SIC in 13,3. These data show that operations aimed at concentrating control of the two companies could be prohibited".
Of course, if after the possible takeover of Mediaset, Vivendi sells Premium, the situation could change, but we are still far from this scenario. After Minister Calenda's moral suasion, Agcom's warning signals that the Italian system and the Gentiloni government, while respecting market rules and European standards, intend to do their part. But not in an improper and dirigistic way. That's why the denial filters through from Palazzo Chigi about possible decrees to stop the French or about the incorrect use of the golden share, which would be impracticable.
All of that has reflections too on a general political level and objectively brings Silvio Berlusconi closer, who needs support to defend his Mediaset, to the Gentiloni government and it is no coincidence that, faced with the deranged yells of the group leader of Forza Italia deputies, Renato Brunetta, Berlusconi himself recommended to his followers to lower the tone towards the new government. The effects on the new electoral law and on the possible referendum on the Jobs Act will probably be seen, but now the Mediaset case is in the foreground.
