OFCOM to investigate pay-TV

Digital Spy links:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a44132/ofcom-confirms-pay-tv-investigation.html
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/a44134/investigation-launched-into-skys-dtt-plans.html
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/a44135/sky-responds-to-ofcom-investigation.html


Basically Virgin, Setanta, Top Up TV and BT Vision have clubbed together to force OFCOM to review if Sky are in breach of competition laws and if so, to forward the matter to the competition commission.


Sky's plans for a service on DTT will be included as part of this review into pay-TV.


Sky of course see everyone else as the element, saying it's in the interests of BT Vision, Setanta and Top Up TV to prevent Sky from "increasing customer choice " by launching a DTT subscription service.

They are also still trying to shift the blame over to Virgin Media by claiming it's them acting unlawfully by not allowing Sky to broadcast on the platform and blocking competition in the cable market.



I just hope that at last Sky's position as service provider and content provider will be shown up for the monopoly it is - but knowing OFCOM it'll end up coming to the opposite conclusion and soon Sky will be controlling cable and DTT along with the digital satellite network!

Just as I was thinking. My soul is prepared.

Whilst I don't agree with BSkyB's proposal to introduce a pay-TV service to replace their current FTA offering, I don't see it as a cause for OFCOM to launch another investigation. TUTV and Setanta already do the same, so BSkyB will simply claim they are being discriminated against.

Furthermore, BSkyB don't have a monopoly of DSat services. Astra/SES and Eutelsat transmit the channels. BSkyB charge for allowing details on their EPG and for encryption. There are many channels available through other DSat providers.

I think the outcome of all this will be that Virgin are forced to open up their cable network in much the same way that BT was with telephones under the "local-loop-unbundling".

If this happens, SkyDigital will become a closed network

How do you "close" a network that doesn't physically exist. There is nothing to stop anybody buying transponder space on the Astra/SES or Eutelsat satellites (or those operated by any other company which can be received in the UK).

This is the root of the problem - 90% or more of people still think that Sky = Satellite. When are the Freesat people going to get their arse in gear and start promoting it propely?

bskyb control access to the epg do they not?

Which is the sign of a monopoly! The EPG is the main issue - getting a channel on the EPG isn't a case of ringing Sky up and telling them you'll be launching a channel in six months - Sky use all sort of delaying tactics to prevent channels getting in the line up (most notably with ITV).


As many fear, I can see this resulting in Sky getting a hold on the cable market - which would make them even more of a monopoly. IMO there argument does not hold up as general speaking, anyone who can get cable can get Sky if they wish - something Sky have highlighted in their marketing campaign over the last month or so!

Of course Sky control access to their own EPG, and charge people for the service they provide. But there is nothing to stop someone producing another EPG for their own service.

Also, as I understand it Ofcom do have policies in place so that if a channel, radio station or interactive service pays for an EPG slot, Sky have to provide it.

Might be the case - but usually when companies want a slot Sky wil tell them there isn't one available for six months or something - when obviously there usually is!