[andy_m]

The notion that competition takes place at the time of bidding is ludicrous. It is, in itself, anti-competitive, since it ensures that the company with the deepest pockets wins the day. Worse still, in this instance BT outbid Sky who were then actually given the chance to respond with an even higher bid, and knew that the package they were bidding for came with the control rights! This is where OfCom should be getting involved - the whole thing was cronyism at its worst.

True competition would mean multiple broadcasters being allowed to show the same packages and the consumer being able to choose who they felt did so the best, and for the best price. It's frankly a scandal that you can do this by entering the European market, but not here where the events being televised are actually taking place. This is our national game that has been snatched from us and what's worse is that we've not only allowed it to happen but we're mostly content to pay for the privilege!