Bskybs Charges Put Under Scrutiny

Production of the charges was part of a series of undertakings given by BSkyB to the Office of Fair Trading. The pledges helped BSkyB avoid a possible reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

In July John Bridgeman, director-general of fair trading, decided after a six-month investigation that BSkyBs behaviour was not anti-competitive, though he expressed concern that its powerful position was making it difficult for cable operators to compete.

In particular, cable operators complain that they have to buy complete packages of programmes from BSkyB and pay 60 per cent of the retail price to dish owners, before negotiating fees for non-BSkyB channels.