The Office of Fair Trading is to lead a new investigation into BSkyB’s £670 million deal with the Football Premier League which could be referred to the Court of Restrictive Practices. One referral is already being considered by the court regarding the deal which runs for the 1996-97 season (Newsline 06/02/96). The recent enquiry involves BSkyB’s pay-TV activities where it has the potential to monopolise the pay-TV market.
The new contract, which has not been received by the OFT, was signed by the League and satellite company presuming that the court’s decision on the previous contract would be irrelevant. By law the contract must be received within three months and it could be that the court rules the rights to be re-auctioned on a club-by-by basis.
A spokesman from the OFT said that any court hearing will not take place until next year.
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