The competition watchdog has launched a probe into potential cartel-like behaviour by some of the UK’s biggest sports broadcasters. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) claimed it has “reasonable grounds” to suspect that BT, ITV, Sky and IMG Media – which includes Premier League Productions – might have broken competition rules.
The CMA stated: “The investigation relates to the purchase by such companies of freelance services which support the production and broadcasting of sports content in the UK. At this stage the CMA believes it has reasonable grounds to suspect one or more breaches of competition law.”
It is investigating the broadcasters under Section 25 of the Competition Act, which allows the CMA to look into potential cartels. The authority can launch a probe if it believes there is now or was at one point an agreement between companies.
