BSkyB has reached an interim agreement with Ofcom over the media regulator's controversial decision on the pricing of BSkyB’s premium sports channels for rivals, pending the resolution of its appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). Under the terms of the settlement, Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 will be made available to Virgin Media, BT and Top up TV at the lower rates during the interim period. In fact, only these three operators can take part in the agreement, but, while the interim deal is in effect, they will effectively have to pay the existing rate card price, with the difference between that and the wholesale must-offer price paid into escrow.

However, Sky Sports and Sky Sports 2 will be provided by Sky’s competitors at a reduced rate, between 10% and 23% lower than what Virgin Media currently pays. BT and Top up TV will offer BSkyB’s premium sports channels by August for just £26 per month, while Sky’s own package is priced at £26 per month.

BSkyB’s pre-tax profit almost doubled in the nine months to the end of March thanks to a 76% increase in take-up of its high-definition TV service. Its pre-tax profit amounted to £707 million (US$1.074million) in the past three quarters, while its revenue grew by 10%, passing from £4.4 billion in 2010 to £3.9 billion in 2009. The broadcaster also reported 428,000 new subscribers to its HD service, up 76% year-on-year.

L'articolo è estratto dall'ultimo numero di Turning Digital, la newsletter quindicinale focalizzata sui temi della TV digitale e dei broadband content ed è parte dell'offerta multiclient di ITMedia Consulting.

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