Cable Communications Association Reject New BSkyB Rate Card

The Cable Communications Association today submitted the formal response of the UK cable industry to the Office of Fair Trading’s consultation on the proposed new BSkyB rate card. The view of the cable industry was that the proposed rate card would undermine consumer choice, in both choice of service and choice of delivery system.

In its response, the CCA argues that the proposed rate card is likely to:

• impede the entry of alternative channels and programme providers into the UK Pay TV market, thus restricting consumer choice;
• require a majority of Pay TV consumers to pay for BSkyB services, whether or not they wanted them;
• inhibit the development of multi-channel television in the UK, if the cable industry is limited in its ability to offer consumers, in terms of price and programme choice, a viable alternative to Direct-to-Home satellite broadcasting.

Commenting on the response, CCA Chairman Stephen Davidson today urged the OFT to ensure the BSkyB rate card did not limit the consumer’s right to have a choice in Pay TV services, choice in delivery systems, and fair competition in expanding Pay TV market

CCA: 0171 222 2900