CMA investigates Hasbro’s eOne takeover

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has launched a preliminary investigation into Hasbro’s planned acquisition of London Stock Exchange-listed Entertainment One (eOne).

Hasbro, the US toy/board game giant whose brands include Monopoly, Transformers, My Little Pony, GI Joe and Power Rangers, announced in August it would pay US$4 billion dollars to take control of eOne, the Canada-based TV, film and music company.

Eone’s biggest brand is children’s TV franchise Peppa Pig, though it also has a robust music portfolio, including live production outfit Round Room Entertainment, labels Dualtone, Death Row and Last Gang Records and artist management company People’s Champ.

The CMA says it is considering whether the acquisition would substantially reduce competition “within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services”.

The competition watchdog is inviting comments on the proposed deal until 5 December, with the deadline for its ‘phase-1’ decision set for 21 January 2020.

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