Brussels, 02/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - On 19 August at the latest, the European Commission will decide if it will open its own investigation in the merger between Spanish pay television company Sogecable (Prisa group) and Via Digital (Telefonica group) or whether it will delegate the case to the Spanish authorities, as the latter have requested. During a press conference, Commissioner Monti recognised last week that the deal had raised some "genuine" worries" in the area of television programmes for football and avant-première films. In a declaration to the press Mario Monti stated that, "A more detailed analysis must be made before a decision is taken (rejection or sending it to the Spanish authorities), which will be taken on 19 August at the latest". Sogecable announced its merger with its rival Via Digital on 12 July, in order to create a platform that will include more than 2.5 million subscribers and annual revenue of EUR 1.3 million. The Spanish authorities have therefore asked the Commission to examine the deal, believing that the activities of the two parties involve two thirds of Spanish territory (see EUROPE 13/14 May p 14).