Ofcom Investigating Sky Over Regional Charges

Government media regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into satellite giant BSkyB after the nation’s largest commercial broadcaster, ITV, complained about the proposed charge for regionalisation of ITV’s channels on Sky’s digital satellite platform.

Currently ITV pays BSkyB £17 million a year for “conditional access” and inclusion on its electronic programme guide (EPG), which enable viewers to receive the correct local news and other regional programmes.

ITV believes the fee charged by Sky for the broadcast of ITV1 and 2 is simply too high, with negotiations between the two broadcasters over the renewal of ITV’s broadcasting contract deadlocked.

BskyB: 0207 705 3000 www.sky.com ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk

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