[Sirius]

Originally Posted by devilincarnate

i also heard the news that of com has said that it will make sky wholesale tv channels and check this link to the ofcom website

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/features/paytvjune

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2009/06/nr_20090626

Ofcom considers that Sky has market power in the wholesale supply of channels containing this attractive content, and that it is acting on an incentive to limit the distribution of these channels to rival TV platforms.

As a result, Ofcom believes consumers face a restricted choice of channels and platforms in the short term. In the longer term, new platforms based on innovative distribution technologies may be prevented from developing without access to this content.

Ofcom believes that requiring Sky to make its premium channels available to other retailers on a wholesale basis is the most appropriate way of ensuring fair and effective competition. It is therefore also consulting on proposals to put in place a wholesale must-offer obligation, containing a range of regulated prices.

Ofcom believes that this remedy will enable other TV broadcasters to access and offer these premium channels, thereby promoting choice and innovation. We do not believe that this proposed remedy would have a disproportionate impact on Sky, since we consider the proposed prices are above the level required to allow Sky a reasonable return on its content costs.

We believe that Sky’s wholesale revenues would increase under the proposed remedy, due to its channels becoming more widely available.

Well done Ofcom.