Friday, 19 December 2014

Ofcom to review Pay TV

The review will determine whether regulation requiring Sky to offer its Sky Sports 1 and 2 channels to other pay TV providers to ensure fair and effective competition in the UK’s pay TV sector remains appropriate.

In 2010, Ofcom imposed an obligation requiring Sky to offer to wholesale Sky Sports 1 and 2 at prices set by Ofcom.

This was designed to deliver choice and innovation to consumers through greater competition.

The obligation has been in effect since 2010 for Virgin Media (cable) and BT (digital terrestrial TV) while litigation has been on-going.

In November 2014, it was extended to IPTV for BT.

Ofcom said in 2010 that it would review the obligation after three years in light of developments in the market.

In April 2014, Ofcom announced it was commencing this review.

© Ofcom