Denis O'Brien's €200 million takeover of Today FM, FM104 and Highland Radio has been delayed after the Competition Authority yesterday requested more information before deciding whether the deal can proceed.
The authority confirmed yesterday that it had requested further information from the parties involved in the transaction before deciding if the acquisition should take effect.
The stations are being sold by Emap, a UK media group. The deal was originally notified to the authority on July 30th, with submissions made by August 10th.
The Competition Authority said it had insufficient information to make a decision at this point.
Mr O'Brien's Communicorp radio group already controls Dublin-based stations Newstalk, 98FM, and Spin FM and has a large shareholding in East Coast Radio in Wicklow. Spin also recently won a licence to operate a youth regional station for the southwest.
Industry sources have suggested Mr O'Brien might have to agree to sell certain radio assets, possibly in Dublin, if the deal is to go through.
FM104 and 98FM are the two biggest local radio stations in the capital, while Spin has the youth franchise for the city.
Newstalk and Today FM are the only independent national stations on air and would have a significant share of the Dublin market, too.
Highland is the largest independent radio station in Donegal.
It is understood that the parties involved have been given until the end of September to furnish this extra information.
The deal also requires the approval of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and of the Minister for Communications, Eamon Ryan.
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