Telia continues on the TV acquisition trail

Only a matter of days after Telia announced the purchase of GET and TDC Norway to bolster its convergence play, the Swedish telco has confirmed the acquisition of Bonnier Broadcasting.

Telia has been gearing towards the convergence business model for years, with content as a notable prong, though the acquisition work this week brings the promise closer to reality. The new business will be a separate entity within Telia, with a comprehensive ethics and compliance framework already in place to maintain editorial independence.

“The debate which has been taking place ahead of today’s announcement shows that Telia Company has several important roles to play in the Swedish society,” Telia said in a statement. “It is a role that the company takes most seriously and one that, as we move forward, will continue to be handled responsibly. Telia Company therefore welcomes shareholders and other affected parties within politics and society to take part in constructive dialogue around these issues.”

While the convergence business model is a logical one, there are some concerns in Sweden about the takeover, mainly surrounding government influence in broadcasting. The acquisition will have to be handled carefully, somewhat explaining Telia’s compulsion to explicitly state there will be no changes within the organization once it is brought into the telcos family.

The Swedish government is currently the largest shareholder in the Telia business, controlling a 37% stake, and already controls the largest traditional broadcaster in the country, SVT. Should the government have direct/in-direct influence over two of the major broadcasters in the country, some might question whether this is a sensible decision. With a general election scheduled for Sunday 9 September 2018 in the country, the timing of the deal could make this a much more politically sensitive position.

Although some might suggest this is a paranoid distraction, you only have to look across to other countries with far more ‘proactive’ governments, to understand why some critics are sensitive to the idea.