BMG/Concord deal approved in US and Germany (report)

BMG/Concord merger approved by competition authorities in the US and Germany (report)

The proposed merger of BMG and Concord has been cleared by competition regulators in the United States and Germany.

Germany’s competition regulatory agency, the Bundeskartellamt, officially cleared the deal on Friday (June 12).

Reuters reports that Bertelsmann said on Wednesday (June 17) that US competition authorities had also approved the merger.

“Further regulatory approvals in other countries are still pending. Bertelsmann continues to expect the transaction to close in the fourth quarter of 2026,” the company said in a statement cited by Reuters.

The merger was confirmed in April. In a press release issued at the time, it was also confirmed that the combined company will be owned approximately 67% by Bertelsmann, and 33% by affiliates of Great Mountain Partners, a long-time investor in Concord.

Affiliates of Great Mountain Partners will also receive a one-time cash payment of USD $1.16 billion as part of the transaction.