Sources inform ''Globes'' that "Yediot Ahronot Ltd." has filed a request with the Israel Antitrust Authority to revoke its classification as a monopoly in the media sector. The request comes 13 years after the Hebrew daily paper was first classed as a monopoly in the Hebrew language dailies market. The group is apparently seeking the change because of the changes in the print media market, chief of which is the substantial increase in the circulation of the free sheet "Israel Today", which has now been distributed for a year.
A spokesperson for the Antitrust Authority said the application from "Yediot Ahronot" had been received and was being considered. "Yediot Ahronot" publisher Noni Mozes was unavailable for comment by web posting.
In 1995, then-Antitrust Authority director general Yoram Turbowicz declared "Yediot Ahronot" a monopoly in the Hebrew language dailies market. According to the figures released by the Antitrust Authority in its announcement, "Yediot Ahronot" controlled more than 50% of the Hebrew language dailies market, "Ma'ariv" held 25%, and "Ha'aretz" held 10%.
In recent years there have been changes in the market. Aside from the fact that "Yediot Ahronot" remains the largest player in the market, the industry has seen the entry of "Israel Today", a newspaper owned by US Jewish billionaire Sheldon Adelson. "Israel Today" is distributed free from Sunday through Thursday and has a daily circulation of 255,000, a development which will undoubtedly have an impact on the daily print media market and the market share held by the various groups.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 3, 2008
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