Considering to intervene in Retriever and Infomedia merger

The merger could lead to reduced competition among media monitoring services. This may result in higher prices and lower quality for customers.

The Norwegian Competition Authority has today notified the companies that it is considering stopping the merger. This is because it could lead to reduced competition in the market. The notice provides a detailed description of the reasons for the authority’s concerns. The companies can respond to the Competition Authority’s arguments before a final decision is made.

Both Retriever and Infomedia provide media monitoring, media analysis, and media archive services to customers in Norway. Media monitoring involves collecting media content from various channels such as online newspapers, social media, TV, radio, magazines, and print newspapers. The content is analyzed and filtered based on specific keywords relevant to the customers.

– Retriever and Infomedia are the two largest players in this market in Norway. A merged company would become the largest player in the market by far, says project manager Magne Geber.

There are some other companies that provide media monitoring services in the market. The Competition Authority has so far concluded that these will not be able to sufficiently replace the competition that would disappear if Retriever and Infomedia are allowed to merge.

– We are concerned that the reduced competition resulting from the merger could lead to higher prices and lower quality for customers, says acting department director Vegard Aandal-Nilsen.

The Competition Authority emphasizes that today’s notice is not a final decision.

The companies now have 15 working days to comment on the authority’s assessments in the notice. The Competition Authority then has 15 working days to make a final decision in the case.

The deadline for the final decision is June 25, 2025.