Full soccer quarrel between TV2 and TVNorge – Dagbladet.no

(Dagbladet): 2 TV announced today that the company buys C More Norway.

This means that the entire Norwegian Tippeligaen is back on TV 2 from season start.

– We are happy that TV2 again get the opportunity to offer the Norwegian people all fighting in Tippeligaen, says CEO. / chief editor Olav Sandnes T. TV2 their websites.

TVNorge chief Harald Stromme are not as happy. He has complained purchase the Competition Authority because he thinks TV 2 now create a football monopoly.

TVNorge manager: Creates a monopoly

– A merged TV 2 and C More will be dominant in the pay-TV market, and if they get an opportunity to create a monopoly on the Premier League and Clausura, they get a negotiating power that in reality puts market mechanisms out of play. It will both consumers and licensees tape, says Harald Stromme.

Within 70 days the Competition Authority must answer whether TV2 is allowed to take over C More and their football rights.

– It is important to maintain a free and functioning competition for sports rights in the Norwegian market, adding Stromme to, who are afraid TV2 threatens to not cover Norwegian football to hoard rights.

– Stromme wrong

News and sports editor Jan Ove Årsæther TV 2 rejects monopoly allegations TVNorge boss.

– We are talking about one right, ie Norwegian Toppserie. We have not cup and we have not the national team. So when Harald Stromme talking about monopoly so he is wrong, says Årsæther.

– Stromme saidst that he sits with inner fillet of Norwegian football, namely the national team, so when I do not understand how we may be too large, if he has the best piece of cake, add Årsæther to.

Årsæther ask Dagbladet ask Norwegian skiing stars if they feel that TV 2 refrains cover sports they themselves do not have permission.

– Ask Kjetil Jansrud about he feels TV2 does not provide sport his performances coverage. Ask cross-country skiers too. We send hours of reports from Falun yet we do not have a shred of rights to the championship.

– Comic

Stromme seems explanation for Årsæther is thin.

– That Årsæther choose to talk about coverage of the WSC is a bit comical. TV 2 can not opt ​​out of the world. But when TV 2 does not refer to an EM qualifier between Norway Italy in 18.30 news the same day as the battle goes, it is an obvious example that they are willing to use editorial power to achieve commercial benefits. The decision was clearly taken “in an office far removed from editorial environments”, to quote Årsæther.

• Competition Authority informs Dagbladet that they will come to a verdict in this case by 8 June.