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Spanish Watchdog Launches Second Probe into Telefonica's 2015 Dts Acquisition

Spanish Watchdog Launches Second Probe into Telefonica’s 2015 DTS Acquisition

On Thursday, the Spanish antitrust watchdog said it had opened a second probe of Telefonica (NYSE: TEF) for potentially violating the commitments it made when acquiring cable TV operator DTS in 2015.

CNMC, as the regulator is known, said it found indications Telefonica broke its pledge to not sign contracts lasting over three years to broadcast sports content.

It pointed to a contract signed in 2022 between Telefonica and the National Soccer League over the rights to air La Liga matches in Spain.

A spokesperson for Telefonica did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last year Telefonica (NYSE: TEF) was fined 6 million euros ($6.32 million) by CNMC for commercial practices that violated the terms of the 2015 DTS takeover, such as so-called permanence clauses on smartphone leases preventing clients from switching providers.

Telefonica is the largest cable TV operator in Spain in terms of number of customers.

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