Kloiber, U take aim at Kirch/News TV alliance

Companies say pact will prevent competition

BERLIN -- European Union media watchdogs again will be scrutinizing Germany's pay TV market after complaints filed by media entrepreneur Herbert Kloiber and Universal Studios.

Kloiber confirmed to Daily Variety on Monday press reports that said he had filed objections in Brussels to the planned alliance of the Kirch Group and News Corp. Focus magazine reported Monday that both Kloiber and U have gone to the EU complaining that the pact prevents competitors from entering the market.

U and Kirch are already at loggerheads over a landmark lawsuit filed by Kirch that argues U wanted to damage its business. News Corp. and Kloiber are meanwhile doing battle over jointly run channel TM3.

(Adam Dawtrey in London contributed to this report.)