Ofcom to probe pay-TV market

Updated 08.03 Tue Mar 20 2007

Keywords: Setanta, BT, Sky, Virgin Media, BSkyB, Top Up TV

Ofcom is to launch an investigation into the pay-TV market in the wake of the bitter battle between BSkyB and Virgin Media.

The row saw Sky channels pulled from the Virgin service and the watchdog received a number of complaints, including from the National Consumer Council.

BT, Setanta, Top Up TV and Virgin Media have now asked for a probe to see if competition rules have been broken

BT, Setanta, Top Up TV and Virgin Media have now asked for a probe to see if competition rules have been broken.

The Office of Communications will now look into competition issues in the pay-TV industry, which includes cable, digital terrestrial television, satellite and TV through broadband, known as TV over DSL.

The regulator said in a statement: "After careful consideration, Ofcom has today announced that it will investigate the pay TV market, including obtaining information from market participants.

"Following this assessment Ofcom will decide whether to make a market reference to the Competition Commission."