Ofcom has announced a consultation after complaints from Setanta and Top-Up TV about BSkyB’s plans for premium TV channels on the digital terrestrial platform.
To the casual observer, it would appear that Sky has gone to war with Ofcom. The latest spat between the satellite television provider and Ofcom is being played out over the Freeview box but it just one more of a series of controversies surrounding Sky.
Sky has lashed out at Ofcom for its decision to open a public consultation into the television company’s plans to replace the basic channels it broadcasts over Freeview with its premium sports and movie content.
The consultation has delayed Sky’s move until early next year at the latest, quashing its plans to launch subscription services in time for the new Premier League season starting in August. The regulator has justified its decision to open a consultation into Sky’s plans by pointing to issues around technology, consumer interests and, most importantly, competition.
At the centre of the concern is Sky’s potential ability to stifle competition due to its supposedly dominant position in the pay-TV market and the apparent lack of retail competition in distributing “premium” content such as UK Premier League matches and blockbuster Hollywood films.
Some of Sky’s competitors in the pay-TV market have complained that Read the rest of this entry »
