Ofcom Opens Consultation On Sky Platform Charges

Media regulator Ofcom has opened an industry consultation on the conditional access and electronic programme guide requirements governing Sky’s satellite platform.

The communications watchdog plans to issue new guidelines on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory access to elements of Sky’s platform, an issue which has ramifications for broadcasters operating on the system.

ITV recently withdrew from a heated row with the satellite superpower over its charges for regionalisation of channels across its the platform (see ITV Withdraws Complaint Against BSkyB).

In its original complaint to Ofcom, ITV described the charge proposed by Sky as “not fair and reasonable” and claimed that it was “discriminatory” when compared to charges made to other broadcasters for related services.

The BBC has also clashed with Sky over access to its systems, leading to Ofcom’s desire to install a more transparent procedure for charging, based on a rate card for encryption and channel listings.

Ofcom’s consultation will run until 25 January 2006, offering interested parties the opportunity to register concerns with both the current system and the regulator’s proposed amendments.

Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk Sky: 08702 40 40 40 www.sky.com