The UK’s competition watchdog has launched an investigation into how TV broadcasters and production firms including Sky, ITV and BT may have colluded to buy freelance services.
The Competition and Markets Authority said in a statement this morning that it “has reasonable grounds to suspect one or more breaches of competition law” by a group of companies, which also include sports programming agency IMG Media.
It is investigating the broadcasters under Section 25 of the Competition Act, which allows the CMA to look into potential cartels.
“The investigation relates to the purchase by such companies of freelance services which support the production and broadcasting of sports content in the UK,” the CMA said.
“At this stage the CMA believes it has reasonable grounds to suspect one or more breaches of competition law.”
BT Group, ITV and Sky said in statements that they are reviewing the details of the probe but will be co-operating fully with the CMA.
