Sky may have to share TV rights

The premium film and sports content available on Sky TV should be shared with rival broadcasters at a discout to their current price, according to a report released by the media watchdog Ofcom.

There have been worries for some time that BSkyB’s buying power is crushing competition, examples of which are readily available, but the most recent is the medical drama “House”.

The first four seasons were on Five, but this show has been acquired for Sky One.

Naturally satellite broadcaster BSkyB rejects these claims and feels so strongly that it has said that it will defend its position using all of the legal avenues available to it.

As usual the regulator has asked any interested parties to respond to the proposals by the 18th August.

Ofcom believes that this proposal would make it more viable for rival broadcasters to offer the channels to their viewers while still giving Sky a reasonble return on the cost of its content.