RTL may save N-TV from extinction

The German Federal Cartel Office has given RTL the green light to take over CNN's 50 percent stake in the channel N-TV, in which RTL also holds a 50 percent stake. As the competition authorities announced on Wednesday, although there are competition law concerns about a merger, the channel would be discontinued without the takeover. This means that the legal requirements for approval for this special case of a "restructuring merger" would apply, reports Handelsblatt. Investigations by the office had shown that no competitor was available as a buyer in view of the broadcaster's economic situation. At the end of November, RTL announced its intention to acquire the 50 percent stake in the US news channel CNN.