[muppetman11]

Interesting read and comments from Jeremy Darroch and Tom Mockridge

http://www.theguardian.com/media/201...-javid-consult

Jeremy Darroch, the chief executive of BSkyB, argued that ITV and Channel 4 should be careful “cherry picking” parts of the US payment system that suit them as the government’s upcoming review poses a threat to some of the benefits they enjoy.

“I’m broadly supportive of deregulation,” said Darroch, speaking at the event. “It is encouraging the Secretary of State reconciles that this is a complex issue and is a connected issue. For deregulation to work it has to work both ways. It is untenable for the commercial PSBs to look across the pond and to cherry pick pieces from an entirely different system. All the considerable benefits, things like guaranteed access to customer bases, EPG prominence, an incredibly valuable benefit. Platform access and EPG prominence are on the table. Be careful what you wish for.”

Tom Mockridge, chief executive of Virgin Media, said: “We do not, nor have we ever, charged public service broadcasters. Equally, we do not believe viewers should pay an additional tax for the privilege of viewing programming which they have already paid for. Government is right to ignore the overly simplistic calls for another tax on TV viewers and review the current system in more detail. There is a careful balance to strike.”