[andy_m]

Virgin do compete with Sky, in some areas such as broadband and on demand they are arguably ahead. They've chosen not to compete on linear channels. I understand the need for regulation when competition can't be achieved, but two companies who choose to operate in different ways shouldn't be bought together by regulation just because one of them doesn't have access to a particular channel - you end up with 2 companies offering near identical products competing solely on price. That just results in cuts to quality.