Virgin Media Appeal Over Sky’s ITV Stake Rejected

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has rejected an appeal from Virgin Media which could have seen BSkyB forced to sell all of its 17.9% stake in ITV.

In September, Virgin Media lodged an appeal which said that the Competition Commission did not properly consider rules governing the plurality of UK media ownership when it decided that Sky must reduce its stake in ITV to less than 7.5% (see Sky Forced To Reduce Stake In ITV).

The CAT turned down the appeal today, saying: “We are of the view that for the tribunal to remit the plurality issue to the [Competition] Commission and the secretary of state would serve no useful purpose”.

“As whatever their findings on that issue there is no realistic prospect that an additional or different remedy would be recommended or imposed.”

Virgin Media now has one month to lodge an appeal over the CAT decision, while Sky has a month left to appeal against the Competition Commission’s original ruling.

Virgin Media: www.virginmedia.com