Sky appeal on sports upheld
SKY could be free to charge its rivals higher prices for its sports channels after winning a competition appeal against Ofcom yesterday.
The competition appeals tribunal found the regulator’s concerns over Sky’s dominance to be “unfounded”, paving the way for rules to be lifted on the amount Virgin Media and BT pay for Sky Sports 1 and 2 .
Ofcom said it was “surprised and disappointed” at the judgment, which comes two years after the regulator’s demands.
A full ruling is due in coming months, and is likely to be appealed regardless of the decision. Virgin Media vowed to “pursue all available options”.