The two groups competing in the tender to operate the 'Kol Hai' radio station are seeking to merge.
According to a report by Nati Toker in The Marker, after approval from the Second Authority Council, the two groups jointly submitted an application to the Competition Authority for approval of the merger.
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The reason for the move? The coronavirus crisis and the decline in advertising volumes.
The parties also took into account competitive moves by the competing station, Radio Kol Barama, and the launch of the new split radio network Kol Play, which emphasizes music and broadcasts for young people.
The station's franchise owner so far is businessman Yitzhak Mirilashvili, owner of Channel 20, who acquired full ownership of the ultra-Orthodox station in May 2017.
For the purpose of competing for the new franchise, the Mirashvili Group recruited former minister Dalia Itzik, who will head the group on its behalf.
On the other hand, a group led by the newspaper 'Mishpacha' and radio personality Ido Mor came together and submitted a competing proposal. The group includes the newspaper 'Mishpacha'; Mor, currently the chairman of Radio 99; journalist Yossi Elitov; and later the owners of the Osher Ad marketing chain also joined.
However, after the deadline for submitting bids expired in January 2020, both groups contacted the other authority and requested to merge.
According to the merger outline, both groups will become shareholders in the concession to operate the station.
