meirda
12-19-2007, 04:19 PM
British Sky Broadcasting, the U.K./Irish satellite TV platform controlled by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., continues to find its pay-TV business under intense scrutiny.
This week, British telecom regulator Ofcom announced it would continue an assessment of BSkyB's dominant presence in the nation's multiplatform market. The regulatory agency said it wants to examine whether there are competition problems requiring further action, and that it expects to publish a further consultation on the U.K. video market this spring.
Last March, Ofcom received a submission from BT, Setanta and Virgin Media that asked for an investigation of the U.K. pay TV industry and whether the Competition Commission should be brought in for a further inquiry.
The submission from those companies alleged that competition in the pay-TV industry "is not working effectively and that there are features in the industry that prevent effective competition taking place." Ofcom said Sky disputed those claims, saying competition is effective and is delivering benefits to consumers.
This week, British telecom regulator Ofcom announced it would continue an assessment of BSkyB's dominant presence in the nation's multiplatform market. The regulatory agency said it wants to examine whether there are competition problems requiring further action, and that it expects to publish a further consultation on the U.K. video market this spring.
Last March, Ofcom received a submission from BT, Setanta and Virgin Media that asked for an investigation of the U.K. pay TV industry and whether the Competition Commission should be brought in for a further inquiry.
The submission from those companies alleged that competition in the pay-TV industry "is not working effectively and that there are features in the industry that prevent effective competition taking place." Ofcom said Sky disputed those claims, saying competition is effective and is delivering benefits to consumers.