EU: Probe may soon examine pay-TV business model

The European Commission is reportedly considering launching a formal investigation into the pay-TV sector regarding the sale of premium sports and films rights, a move that follows a test case of 2011.

The European Court of Justice overturned a fine in 2011 issued to a UK pub landlady for showing pay-TV content through a Greek satellite card. While the Court upheld consumers’ rights to own a satellite card from any EU nation, the ruling made producers of pay-TV content rethink how rights packages are sold, say reports.

Now, European Commission Joaquin Almunia is looking into barriers to cross-boarder pay-TV access and whether they need antitrust regulation.

Reports also say regulators are taking a closer look at whether “absolute territorial protection clauses,” which prevent the sale of paid content by licensees to other nations, are in violation of EU competition law.

The Commission declined to comment on whether a formal inquiry into the matter will be launched.

Full Content: Telecompaper

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