On 31 March 2010, the communications regulator, Ofcom, issued a final statement regarding its investigation into the pay TV market. The inquiry began in 2007, after Ofcom received submissions from BT, Setanta, Top-Up TV and Virgin Media regarding the ineffectiveness of the pay TV industry. In its final statement, Ofcom has made a number of decisions intended to improve consumer choice and price:
- Sky is required to offer its premium sports channels to other retailers at a non-discriminatory wholesale price set by Ofcom.
- Subject to the condition that Sky implements a wholesale deal in relation to its sports channels, (and in relation to film channels should it decide to offer them terrestrially), Ofcom has provisionally approved Sky’s deal with Arqiva to offer pay TV channels on the digital terrestrial TV network.
- Ofcom will consult on whether to make a reference to the Competition Commission on concerns over the sale of subscription video on-demand film rights
To view Ofcom’s Statement on its Pay-TV Decision, click here
