The planned pay TV merger between Spain's two digital satellite platforms - Via Digital and Canal Satelite Digital (CSD) - got a qualified green light this week from the nation's Competition Defense Court (Tribunal de Defensa de la Competencia).

The Court outlined ten key conditions for the merged platform, including that a significant percentage of its channels be owned by third-party companies, that rights deals for football matches be limited to three years, and that output deals with the major film studios be limited to one year in duration - even if it means existing contracts have to be rescinded.

The Spanish government said it would likely not announce its decision on the merger before December 13.