BT wins approval to offer Sky Sports on Freeview

Ofcom has approved BT’s request to offer Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 on Freeview.

The regulator has agreed to let BT use the spectrum capacity freed up by the digital switchover to add the two sports channels to the digital terrestrial TV service.

In March, Ofcom ordered Sky to cut the price it charges rivals for Sky Sports 1 and 2 by 23.4%, giving BT the opportunity to be able to offer the channels for the first time.

Sky has appealed Ofcom’s ruling and a case hearing is expected at the Competition Appeal Tribunal next Friday (25 June).  However, BT has reached an agreement with Sky, which allows it to offer the channels while the appeal is ongoing.

The Ofcom investigation started in March 2007 when BT, Setanta, Top Up TV and Virgin Media requested a review of the way BSkyB sells its premium content to competitors.

Following a long-term investigation, the regulator said that as most consumers currently buy packages which include Sky Sports 1 and 2, the wholesale price for this bundle has been reduced by 10.5% to £17.14, which means rivals such as BT and Virgin Media will now pay £10.63 for each channel, down from £13.88.

Both BT and Virgin Media have vowed to pass on the savings to their subscribers.