On 21 November 2018, the Court of Appeal of Brussels has made a judgment in the procedure regarding the decision of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) of 26 April 2018 to partially cancel the behavioral measures imposed on Kinepolis Group with effect from 26 April 2020.

Following the partial annulment last 28 February by the Court of Appeal of Brussels, of the decision taken by the BCA on 31 May 2017, to relax the behavioral conditions imposed on Kinepolis Group as of 31 May 2019, the aforementioned Authority had taken a new decision on 26 April 2018. The decision confirmed the previous relaxation of the behavioral conditions, which meant that the opening of new cinema complexes in Belgium was no longer subject to prior approval of the Competition Authority, but this entered into force as of 26 April 2020. Once again, a Belgian cinema group has lodged an appeal against this decision.

On 21 November 2018, the Court of Appeal has annuled the decision of the Competition Authority of 26 April 2018, on procedural grounds, judging that the composition of the College (BCA) that took the aforementioned decision should have been different from the College that took the previously annulled decision of 31 May 2017.

“We deeply regret the decision of the Court of Appeal. By means of ongoing procedures against decisions of the Competition Authority, our competition succeeds in paralyzing the Belgian cinema market. Both the Belgian cinema market and the consumer will benefit from organic growth”, says Eddy Duquenne, CEO of Kinepolis Group. “We will consider possible next steps that, in the future, will allow us to invest in the further development of our home market.”

About Kinepolis
Kinepolis Group NV was formed in 1997 as a result of the merger of two family-run cinema groups and was listed on the stock exchange in 1998. Kinepolis offers an innovative cinema concept which serves as a pioneering model within the industry. In addition to its cinema business, the Group is also active in film distribution, event organization, screen publicity and property management.

In Europe, Kinepolis Group NV has 52 cinemas spread across Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Poland. Since the acquisition of the Canadian movie theatre group ‘Landmark Cinemas’ in December 2017, Kinepolis also operates 45 cinemas in Canada.

In total, Kinepolis Group currently operates 97 cinemas (45 of which it owns) worldwide, with a total of 852 screens and more than 185,000 seats. Including the acquired Canadian organization, Kinepolis employs 3,750 people, all committed to giving millions of visitors an unforgettable movie experience. More information on www.kinepolis.com/corporate