Bertelsmann has to change course: the group actually wanted the US book publisher Simon
The multi-billion takeover of the US book publisher Simon
Judges had forbidden the purchase weeks ago. The US government had successfully opposed the purchase with an antitrust lawsuit. Bertelsmann initially planned to appeal.
The group announced its original plans in November 2020. The Penguin Random House publishing group, which belongs to the portfolio, was actually supposed to publish Simon
Bertelsmann had expected the deal to be completed in 2021. With the acquisition, the group wanted to expand its position in the USA. Bertelsmann is already the sole owner of Penguin Random House in New York, the largest trade book publishing group in the world.
The media, services and education group in Gütersloh also said that Penguin Random House will grow significantly organically and through acquisitions in the coming years. You will drive the growth of your own global book publishing business.
The collapsed deal is another setback for Bertelsmann. It was only in September that the RTL Group, which belongs to the group, rejected the plan to merge two private TV groups in France. The background was official requirements. Competition examiners had previously expressed concerns.