THE LAST HURDLE (UPDATE)

The EU is due to make a decision about Sony’s acquisition of EMI Music Publishing on 10/26. Will the European regulatory body clear the deal, block it or ask for further concessions? There is some possibility they could open a Phase 2 investigation that could stretch well into 2019—all of which uncertainty is causing no small amount of agita in Tokyo and at Sony/ATV, particularly among those execs at the latter who stand to receive large checks from the management incentive program.

Sony Corp. has not offered any concessions to secure an OK from European Union antitrust regulators in its bid to absorb EMI and become the world’s largest music publisher, Reuters reported today.

The EU website showed that Sony had not submitted any potential concession by Friday’s deadline. The result could either be an unconditional approval or a full-scale investigation.