BSkyB deal faces fresh EC challenge

net1

Satellite broadcaster BSkyB's latest three-year deal with the English Premier League to show exclusive live coverage of football matches is facing further threats as part of the European Commission's concerns that the rights sale was anti-competitive. EC officials are understood to be examining whether it can accuse the satellite television broadcaster of making a "pre-emptive purchase", by paying well over the market rate, thereby shutting out rival bids. Brussels is expected to issue a 'statement of objections' in the next few weeks to the three-year deal Sky signed with the league in August.

It is thought there were rival bids for only one of the four packages on offer, from ITV and cable operator Telewest, which were easily beaten. Observers have queried why Sky bid over E1.4 billion when it could have easily obtained the rights by offering half that sum.